This is exactly why we DO need CR to rate them. Go to store X and identify their top few mattresses for us. Then go to story Y and identify their top few mattresses for us. Then perhaps compare the top mattresses at store X to the top mattresses at store Y.

CR can't rate every mattress, or even every store, in the market but it can rate many and thereby give some very useful information to consumers.

"Mattess A at store X is a very good mattress for those who prefer a soft Eurotop. Mattress C at store Y is a very good mattress for those who prefer firmness."

That something is difficult or time-consuming to do doesn't make it impossible. Don't get spoiled by the easy comparisons and thereby avoid the tough ones.

I agree with poster Trey.

I'd like to see CR "crack the code" of the bedding industry and produce a matrix that shows what models at what stores are the same as what models at another store.

A friend of mine started doing this a few years back when shopping for a mattress. The few salesmen that saw his sheet were furious that someone was able to make comparisons across stores.

To me, the bedding industry is one of the most corrupt and non-consumer friendly out there, so it would be a nice project for CR to shed some light on.

This sounds to me like CR is taking the easy way out. You are whining about how difficult it is. We don't expect that it would be easy that's why we buy your magazine. Take the top three or four manufacturers and do an intensive test shopping those brands and their different models at the top three or four retailers. Mattresses and box springs are expensive, ridiculously so in my opinion. So, we need you to spend the time and the money and give us the results. Our expectations as subscribers is that you will do a first rate job on most of the items that are widely purchased. CR is seriously failing regarding mattresses and box springs.

Qualify the results all you want but give us objective results for extensive testing and stop whining about how difficult it is.

Oh please. Give CU a break. How can you expect even 50 testers to have the same body as even one of us? What we need is to break the "code" of mattress companies. Pressure applied in just the right way may expose their ruthless tactics. It's buyer beware when it comes to mattresses. One needs to do their homework and hope their choice is a good one.

I recently purchased a Bragada mattress online. It is made with the same high-density foam as a TempurPedic. I am thoroughly pleased with the mattress and the company. Maybe I'm lucky, but I did a lot of homework before I made my purchase.

But let's not crucify CU. You can't expect that a pair of prescription eyeglasses will be appropriate for even ONE other person. How can you expect that they can recommend one particular mattress for any one of us?

I certainly can agree with most of what the above have to say. With regard to Trey and Thomas I believe that CR should put themselves out there on this issue. Include possible statements from the Expert Medical arena with their conclusions on what type of bedding for most persons in general should be sleeping on for the most beneficial support of the back which could enhance the sleeping time and comfort level on the beds being tested. Utilize persons with different back or spine issues and those persons with no issues to include additional persons varying in size and shape. Tear apart the mattresses that are and are not widely available which most consumers tend to purchase and those that are less available as Beutler mentioned. It is of course obvious that we subscribe to CR for the reliable information that we are given from CR to assist us prior to making a purchase. CR subscribers are here to get the expert advise on the products that we probably have already done research on and yet each are hoping to purchase a product that has passed the many strenuous testings that CR puts them through thus in turn taking the knowledge of those results and influencing the actual purchase of the product.
The knowledge CR gives us tends to ease one's mind while making the decision as an individual. Whether the decision of what we ultimately purchased through the information gained from CR was right or wrong in the end if you are like many in either the right or wrong case, the memory of where we received the information returns to us when utilizing the product and knowing that CR has taken the product to the extreme lengths to find results that effect our everyday lives lets us rest better at night..hopefully on the mattress that was purchased with that extensive research.

I thought I was the only one who noticed this about mattreses. I have never seen the same mattress model name more than once. I always find it frustrating when trying to shop for a mattress. I would think CR could at least tell us why a mattress is worth $2500. For instance, what makes certain mattresses worth a lot more than others? We as a consumer have no idea if we are getting fair deals on matresses when we have no idea what their worth and why?

RE: MATTRESS TESTING-------C.R. YOU DROPPED THE BALL KIDS-THANKS FOR NOTHING!

I understand why CR doesn't rate them. We are all different. I would think, though, that CR would present us with the differences in specifications. In my research I found that the Select Comfort Sleep Number Bed has only 20 settings though the numbers go from 1 to 100. Others have 20 or even 40 settings. Some have a hard foam piece down the middle where others do not have any. Some have support under the air chambers and other do not. Yes, I would expect a bit more from CR.

I think that Consumer Reports should have tried harder since a mattress is a big investment. They could have at least been more helpful in determining the quality of materials used in different beds.

I was a little surprised that CR did not rate mattresses. The whole reason for joining was for this info. I agree with all the comments made.
If I were to rate mattresses I would take a group of potential buyers and place them in groups, ie: Back Pain Sufferes, Sleeplessness, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, etc. I would have them sleep on the different forms of mattresses such as the innerspring, foam, air, etc. This may be the only way to get a good rating.
I slept on a waterbed for years and actually loved it back in the day. Then I switched to an innerspring, what a mistake! I spent over $800 to find that the top-of-the-line mattress doesn't last. I am now looking into the Air Mattress. Tried it in the store, and it really feels great. I actually stayed there for over an hour.
Hoping CR could help me determine which of the two top manufacturers were better. I guess I'm on my own until someone decides to take this to a higher degree of importance. Thanks for hearing my comments.

I renewed my online subscription today just knowing I could come here and get insight on mattress comparison and quality. OK - I was wrong :o( Reading through the many complaints and horror stories posted on the web regarding mattress purchasing leaves one wary and in need of constructive analysis. Hopefully the many comments I have read will be considered and some help in the area provided in the near future by CU.

Your mattress review was of limited help. Basic. I agree with the other posts that we expect more from CR. I renewed my membership for this one input - mattresses. While I am somewhat less confused and frustrated, I am somewhat more frustrated by the lack of real information. Why Springs? Why Latex? I know you said start with springs.........but, you have more time and are being paid. It's very hard to tell, what with one store having some spring models and some latex, other having others, as well as the specialty stores. Come on. Consumer REPORTS. Where is the report??? As consumers, we are just now semi-confused about mattresses. Thanks a bunch.

If mattresses are the second most inquired about item (next to cars) that CR gets, why can't CR do a little better job (in fact a lot better job) of telling us what to look for and what to avoid in selecting a mattress. A $1,000 to $2,000 investment is a lot of money for most of us, and that is why we subscribe to CR (the magazine) to begin with.

just sibcribed to CR to reasearch mattresses and gues what !!!!!!!!!!!!!! no help what so ever. very dissapointed.

Our problem is not finding a comfortable mattress. It's finding a mattress that doesn't sag and become dreadfully UNcomfortable after a short time, even for fairly slim adults like us. I disagree with CR that all but the cheapest mattresses are "sturdy enough". Durability is a major issue, I suspect may be related to price, and is a big reason we all feel ripped off by the mattress industry. CR could absolutely find a way to evaluate this. I found this article completely unhelpful, a real disappointment.

I have to say that I'm very disappointed with CR's approach to this.
I agree with the poster above who points out that this situation is exactly why Consumer Reports was created. Perhaps consumers don't know what brand of mattress they purchased, but they can probably tell you WHERE they bought it. If most people who bought their mattresses from Store A are happy, and those who bought from store B are unhappy - that would at least be a start.

I subscribed to CR specifically to get some unbiased and detailed information about matresses; (including Talalay and other latex alternatives). Detailed info. should include the latest types of mattresses, hypoalgernetic qualities, dust mite resistance and other facts. You say you get more requests for info. about mattresses than anything else, (except cars). If this is what I get for my money, let me rate your magazine = 0

Did I miss something?? ... where the hell were the "exploding mattress misconceptions" Oh... and did I also miss the secrets that "exposed what many retailers don't want you to know". The only thing that exploded was my faith that CR would give me some meaningful guidance into the bewildering world of mattresses. The lame tack taken in this CR article only proves how successful the mattress retailers are at pulling the wool over. You CR folk rolled over and took a nap on this one. At least tell us the mattress that worked so well for you?

I am very disappointed. I subscribed to CR specifically for a mattress report and instead get a report on why you don't do a matress report. I agree with the last poster you get a 0 from me too.

I had a mattress handed down to us from a friend for my daughter. It's 10 years old and in perfect condition, no sag, strong as ever, very comfortable. I can't for the life of me figure out what brand it is.
Then I bought a $200 mattress for my other daughter, after 4 years it's flat as a pancake and you can feel the coils, the seams have come out and it's a total joke.
SURELY CR can do some testing and help us to avoid that mistake. If they can't, they are worthless as far as I'm concerned, or they should just admit that they wish to stick to cars and house hold appliances and make that very clear. There was a lot of insinuating (before registration) that you guys had something for us on mattresses, that was kind of like...LYING or trickery if you ask me.

I had a auto accident this summer and found I just cou;dn't sleep on my
3 year old "Sealy Posturpedi UTRA PLUSH pillow top bed that I had spent about $1000 !!!!
SO now I am sleeping on my kids serta twin perfect sleeper (firm) and NOT AS PLUSH OR FANCY AS MY SEALY) and I have been actually sleeping and feeling human again go figure..
I now have to buy another bed
and am confused as my sealy was very "beautiful, thick and soft and plush" yet I couldn;t sleep on the darn thing!!

Thanks for nothing. I should unsubscribe to your magazine.

I feel like I was scammed by CR...I wanted to know about matresses and in the intial sign up, they misled me saying they hired research people etc...Fine CR do not do reports on matresses, but let the consumer know that! A waist of money. I will try to get my money back.

I am very disappointed; I have been cheated and scammed by Consumer Report. I am in need of a new mattress and decided to check CR on line. A snippet of a report explaining how the CR article would help me come better informed and equipped when I went mattress shopping compelled me to subscribe. Boy was I disappointed in the shallow, uninformative, and non-helpful information provided. I felt as if I were reading a freshman essay assignment that was being pulled together after it had been put off until the last minute.

Statements such as "more than 390 coils in a queen size is over kill"... why?? what about king size or twin size mattresses? Does the gauge or material of the coil springs matter? How about coil height? or the ratio of coil height to padding/ticking? All of this information could at least put into perspective the differences to look for when shopping.

The topper was the section on how to make a mattress last longer. here you say dont jump on it and rotate it. Then, you say other websites can tell you how to turn the mattress... but you don't bother to give a link. How hard would it have been to show a diagram?

I subscribed to CR specifically for a mattress report and instead get a details on why you don't do a mattress report. I agree with the others regarding the lack of usefulness. I got more information on eopinions.com

Sure you may not be able to tell me whether I would "prefer a ruby or a sapphire", but you could help determine what the earmarks of a quality each stone should have.

I am canceling my subscription and want my money back.

lj - I had the same experience with the
Sealy Posturepedic "Innocence" Ultra Plush -
the foam padding has failed after 2 years.

These links have been useful to me.

http://www.slate.com/id/93956/

http://interiordec.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whatsthebest-mattress.com%2F

Good luck

I just turned to comsumer report to find out their opinion about mattress buying. I was shocked that CR does not rate mattresses. I am looking to buy foam mattres and I don't know much about it.

Can someone help?

I also subscribed to CR in hopes of getting a mattress report. This is a topic CR should investigate.

I think Consumer Reports should review mattresses but refuse to review any manufacturer who plays the forementioned "name game", with a big disclaimer about not reviewing X, Y, Z for corrupt practices (which makes impossible to review). This would punish the evil and promote the good manufacturers.

My wife and I are searching for new mattresses less than a year after we spent several thousand dollars on the last set. We tried to get guidance from CR before we bought last time but basically you said to try them out in the store. That says nothing about how long they are expected to last. I've been subscribing since 1968 (40 years!).

CR can do better especially since this is such an important purchase that everyone must make.

Amen to all of the above. Have a Select Comfort Sleep Number bed for 3 years. First 1 1/2 year we slept great. The last 6 months, my husband has had constant back pain. Just joined CR today for some guidance. We will now unsubscribe!

my son bought a mattress for 3,000. we were shocked but after sleeping on it ... thought it great we slept so good. i don't know the make of it but would hope it lasts a long time. my wife has an arthritic spine and i have a d back from an old injury and usually prefer the floor. maybe write ins like this would be a bigger help than your whussy comments to date.

WHAT A WASTE OF $$$$

First time CR has ever (30+ years) let me down with absolutely NO information to help with such a big purchase.

I too just bought CR online to learn about Mattresses and was really mistaken. themattressbuyersguide.com has more info.Oh well,maybe I can use CR for other things.

I too had hoped to get mattress comparisons, as it will be one of this year's major purchases. So far, none of the things I wanted to buy this year were reviewed. When are you guys going to do COMPACT APPLIANCES for all the thousands of us in small condos???

Maybe CR can't rate a mattress but couldn't they keep and publish consumer's complaints? We also purchased an expensive king set and now two years later a very obvious sag in the middle on each side. We are not obese and never had this happen in any of the other beds in our home. We somehow missed some of that small print in the warranty. We also miss the great mattress we gave up after reading that 15 years meant it should be replaced.

So it seems that you've got some work to do on mattress ratings? I've got confidence in you: Get to it!

I buy CR to give me advise on expensive purchases so I don't have to learn on my own. I'm disappointed that they won't review mattresses. Once again another reason why I have to look elsewhere for a review by who knows who.

CR could buy mattresses from top national chains like Macy's, Sears, JCPenny, Sams, Costco,and compare them which would greatly help. I would really appreciate info on coil gage and count especially when the stores have no clue. Only the mattress makers know the secret and it looks like it's going to stay that way.

I believe how many people, and now me, am unsubscribing because we subscribed to obtain a mattress evaluation and find NOTHING of value or use. At the VERY LEAST you could evaluate the BRAND name for value, truthfulness of advertising, length of warranty, customer service, etc.

The whole reason I joined CR was to get info on mattresses. On the page that you sign up they need to post their explanation on "Why Consumer Reports doesn't rate specific models of mattresses." and any other products that they don't test. This would have saved me time and money.

Hugely disappointed in finding zilch in CR for mattress ratings. The had one out a few years ago. I know, I looked through it. It was in one of their issues. No they don't? I really was hoping to find something more informative than what they told. Please, CR help us out. There was some good info in regards to structure and in a way I understand what they are saying. It is purely subjective. However you did have testers on different mattresses, rate those. Thanks people for the other sites I can go to. Guess I have to go there instead. I have fibromyalgia and spine pain. I need some guidance.

Today is the first day I have looked to CR for guidance on a purchase and I must say I feel that I have no more information than I started with and am now less $5.95. I would have like some - any - information about some of the top brands and I am disappointed that the information I found was basically generic and not very helpful. Oh well.

I completely agree w. the consensus of the postings on this blog. If it were easy to gather product information, we wouldn’t need to subscribe to CR or the internet version (I do both). CR is letting all of us that support your work down by making such a lame excuse for not testing mattresses. OK, how about a test of the Sleep Number bed, that’s not rebranded by retailers. What’s your lame excuse for not testing that bed?

A number of great comments above. I have subscribed to CR as needed over the past 35 years because it's the one non-profit organization I've always relied on and believed in. If we all spend approximately 1/3 of our lives on our mattresses and need to replace them every 5-10 years, it's no wonder that it's the 2nd most sought after advice we come to you for.

I noticed mention of the fact that CR will be conducting more research on this subject within the next year. Take the constructive criticism listed in these comments and get busy. I know you won't let us down....

I've had this online subscription to Consumer Reports for close to ten years. A couple months ago, I looked for carpet shampooer recommendations and found you had none (you used to have them years ago). Now I'm needing mattress recommendations and again, you have none. Your reasoning is, at best, weak. I will now cancel my online membership. It no longer provides me what I need.

Just another vote for a lot more help with this process. I understand how hard it is, and that's why we rely on CR!

I skimmed through the posts. You have a lot of irate customers here on this topic. If you can't rate the mattresses - can you at least find out which ones are the most honest? I have been married for 32 years. We have had everything from water beds to sleep number beds. The sleep number bed seemed like an over glorified air-bladder/hammock. The only time it felt like a real bed was when the air pressure reached level for my body weight. What this world needs is a computerized sleep matrix bed. Then we can start talking about sleep pixels with each spring, computer adjusted, for each inch of the body. I just hope Microsoft doesn't develop it. Here is my recommendation to mattress buyers after spending WAY too much money over the years: Buy the absolutely cheapest foam mattress you can find and sleep on. When you no longer can stand it - throw it out and buy another cheapy. High price does not automatically equal longevity. After 32 years - I am convinced that "disposable" is the way to go.

I subscribe to CR magazine and online. It seems like the few times that I want to research a product such as mattresses, hot tubs, ATVs, etc., CR does not rate them. I think I'll save my money since I have to rely on my own online research anyway.

When we last shopped for a new mattress, we de-coded Stearns and Foster by making a chart similar to one made by one of the original posters. We recorded number of coils, style names, and various other features at several stores. I called S&F and made them tell me which styles were comparable among the stores, and THEN we could price shop. It was a quite a chore, but we got what we thought we wanted at the time (which we now dislike for several reasons).

When I was growing up, there was a gas station on every corner; now there's a mattress store on every corner. I responded to a CR survey about where to buy mattresses, and I'm looking forward to the results.

When chair shopping, I take a book and get comfy for a while to be sure the chair fits me. My advice when mattress shopping is to shop around and lie around, and bug the bejabers out of the manufacturers so you can compare prices fairly.

I just joined the internet CR.org because I saw a lead in ad when I did a serch for mattresses which implied to me that CR had a comparison/rating on the leading brands;however, when I accessed your web site after paying the $26 yearly fee I found only tips and basic infromation about the various brands, types, etc. I really don't know anymore now than I did before.

I'm disappointed in CR for lack of rating the tempur pedic mattress. Such as does the foam last? How long? There are many conflicting blogs on the internet and I expected CR to provide more concrete information than just how there priced. Sorry guys but please do a better job this is a big investment for most of us and we do rely on CR for good advice.

I feel like I have been taken advantage of, like so many others, for signing up to CR for their reports on mattresses. I would like to request of CR that they change their intro for mattress research. I found it misleading and I found NO helpful information. I especially was disappointed when I read on the comments how many others did exactly what I did and STILL no change to their website intro.

Silly me. I just bought a year's subscription to CR on the teaser that I would get info on which mattress to buy- only to find out CR bailed on doing its mission. Ditto what others have said. Shame on CR.

Welll..so much for getting any REAL HELP for mattresses...I paid for a subscription...JUST to see the ratings on mattresses...and guess what...NONE.....so I am going to ask for a refund in the morning

This is the 3rd time I have logged on to CR. The 1st couple times I could not get passed the sign and pay page. This time I was able to search mattresses and came upon all your comments. I was going to pay CR for research on organic latex mattresses and compare manufacturers. I would have been upset to pay and then read they don't rate mattresses. That is lame... at best. I was actually going to rely on CR before spending $3000 or so.

I purchased a mattress set from Sleepy's in Middletown, NY and I have had nothing but problems. I am now on my third mattress. The “Mattress Professionals” at Sleepy's will not let me exchange the defective mattress set or allow me to upgrade to a different mattress set without paying additional fees. I am now sleeping (uncomfortably) on the third mattress that they have sent me.

I currently have a S&F Plaza Terrace Room Firm King set. The first mattress that I received was extremely deformed with a huge lump near the head and a bent corner. They sent out another one the following day. The second mattress smelled like smoke (I am wondering if it was used) I thought the smell would go away but it didn’t. After a few days of sleeping on the second mattress a large depression formed and the mattress began to hammock. I laid a straight edge across the bed and measured a full inch of depression (inch and a half at the seems). My back was hurting and I could not sleep comfortably on the mattress.

I took my complaints to Sleepy’s and spoke with several people. I was given two options. I was told that I could have yet another mattress exchanged free of charge or I could pay for a comfort exchange. I reluctantly accepted the third mattress.

BEWARE: the newer type mattresses with their numerous layers of mystery foam WILL form depressions! Also watch out for all the not so obvious fees and the almost impossible NOT to violate warranty clauses. I have made several complaints with Sleepy's and one with the Better Business Bureau. I will be taking them to small claims court to get my dispute resolved. This whole industry is UNETHICAL. I felt like someone was trying to sell me a used car at every mattress store I went too.

I must join the chorus of disappointment. I was specifically looking for information about foam mattresses. What do I need to look for to know whether it's going to last or start to sag after a couple of years? Tempur-pedic is the big name, but what about the little names? Is the quality substantially different? How can I tell? What about the foam mattresses put out by the other main brands? Are they comparable? More expensive or less? I have so many questions and would have been happy to have just a few of them answered. I have been looking at a mattress that is a combination of 2.0 density and 5.0 density, but I can't find at the tempur-pedic website information about their density, so there's no way for me to figure out what the differences between them might be. Considering how popular foam mattresses are becoming, I would think at least some analysis of what makes a good one would be useful.

Tonight I just subscribed to CR online hoping to find some valid info on mattresses. The one I'm currently sleeping on is almost 20 years old and I'm feeling every bit of it's discomfort! The ONLY reason I subscribed to CR online was so that I could read the entire info CR was teasing me with about the purchasing of mattresses before I went ahead and made such an expensive purchase, and I have to agree with the majority of the posters.....I was ripped!! I "assumed" that CR did all sorts of testings with all sorts of people with all sorts of bodily mal-adjustments (wrong!) but, noooo.....CR didn't even go one little extra step for us. Other than the fact of telling us to spend 15 minutes on each mattress (which we already knew), to the ranges of prices(which we already knew...which is mainly why we were depending on CR's help!). I totally feel I wasted my money tonight by subscribing to CR online. There's no other major purchase I can forsee in the near future that I will need the use of CR for but maybe something will come up that will make this expenditure worth the money. CR....you've disappointed me!

Give me a break. You all act as if there are unlimited resources for CR to do research on your personal pet topic. Just reading these postings illustrates the complexity involved in not only mattresses, but individual preferences in desired information. CR could spend an enormous amount of time and money attempting to provide the overview and ratings you people desire, only to find they have satisfactorily provided information to only a minority of subscribers who desire this information. And then, these ratings would not be relevant by the time they are published, as the industry changes so dramatically. Unlike cars, there is seemingly no legacy to build a history on. Bottom-line CR can’t be all things to all people. They do what they do very well, appreciate what they do provide.

Other posters are correct when they say that CR is taking the easy way out on this by not rating matresses. CR points out that everyone's tastes and body type is unique- but that doesn't keep CR from rating other products in regard to functionality and ergonimics. As for every body being unique, while that's sorta true, general statements are still possible for those who are 5' 4" versus those who are 6'3", or those that are of particular weights or body types. It seems to me that CR's whole business is the evaluation of products for use by hypothetical end users- so everything they write is going to be generalization to some extent isn't it?

yea i know how most people feel bout mattresses. we had 2 replacments since january of 08. and both have sagged after 2 months the costomer service dept. came out took measurements and replaced as per warrenty. but this last time they said it didnt sag enough. Its a shame how much money we spend on that bed and cant sleep well, not to say that you cant get a flipable mattress any more.

I cannot find any information on Latex free mattresses. I hoped to find this info on the

Consurmer Report mattress info. Nothing.

I agree with many of the posters. Consumer Reports is just taking the LAZY way out, here. Sure, reviewing mattresses is probably a complex task but so what? It is a key area that many would like to know about and makes one wonder where else CR has short cutted their processes just because they're lazy. thanks for nothing.

I have to agree with all the numerous other commenters on how disappointing and misleading CR has become, especially since I was a subscriber 10 years ago. I needed a new mattress and have been so confused and frustrated with trying to unravel the changing mattress names and stats from store to store, and within brands. I joined CR specifically to get some help in making an informed decision. I expected to gain solid information about specific mattress brands and classifications, as I had always been able to depend on CR for that in the past. Not so this time! I would like to see if I could get my subscription refunded now.

I really wonder if Consumer Reports realizes that it has risked its reputation with this extremely misleading excerpt on mattresses.

Almost everyone on here has noted that they subscribed to CR because the byline eluded that "former industry employees" working with CR would all help guide us in buying mattresses. The actual information was so useless, it could have been compiled FOR FREE by anyone by surfing the internet.

Either Consumer Reports has become LAZY or they've lost their analytical abilities. This report does not become the legacy of this organization and I intend to let folks know not to waste their money on CR.

I too was duped. I read an excerpt from a 2006 review, and to get the full information I needed to subscribe. I did only to find nothing. I too am looking for a refund!!

The only reason I paid for a membership was to see the mattress ratings. I never would have joined if I knew this was a waste of time.

I'm another scammed by CR to subscribe before getting a really weak report on mattresses. I too want my $26 back!

I am in need of a new mattress. My wife and I decided its probably worth renewing our CU subscription. After reading the website and these comments and I feel let down by CU.

CU is known as the organization that can find a way to break down the games being played in the marketplace that often makes consumers feel like victims. In the case of mattresses it appears CU has completely dropped the ball and is taking the easy way out.

Without specific ratings for specific products they should make all their mattress info available for free. Until they actually compare the products they should not make you pay for non-specific information.

I sure hope that someone from CU reads this and reconsiders their approach on mattress ratings and information. I have had good experience with CU in the past, but today I am disappointed and unlikely to renew my membership.

It's a cop out to not rate mattresses. You can create tests that are not subjective. I see a lot of subjectiveness when CR rates cars. My favorites are ones where the reviewers compalin that truck rides like truck. What did they expect? It's a truck.

Test the major brands and skip store brands--it's pretty simple.

I am finding CR is mainly concerned with selling a few issues year for cars, big screen TV's, and computers. I'm not seeing any reason to renew.

Maybe CR should do a review of misleading companies that take your credit card number and continue to automatically charge your credit card without allowing your to cancel--like CR does!

I second that emotion. We all realize how personal sleep comfort can be. But to use that as an excuse not to perform CR ratings on mattresses is pure cop out. The same can be said of digital cameras or any product when is comes to personal preference.
I mean I realize what a good deal some electronics are but I cannot get past the styles on some unit. CR can leave those decisions to me for eternity but there is still plenty of apples to apples" to compare in the mattress industry.

You can still give us "just the facts mam" which is pretty much what you do with any of these ratings.

Well, was I surprised when I started searching CR for information about mattresses. I'm looking for data on natural latex matresses - natural, NOT synthetic. I thought CR warned consumers about possible misleading information in product manufacturing. But, they really ducked out on this one. Are mattress manufacturers passing off synthetic latex for natural? What percentage of a mattress must contain natural latex to be labeled as such? I'm having a very difficult time finding any honest data about this particular topic. When is CR going to step up to the task of really addressing mattress products construction and materials?

While I don't think I can torque up as much anger as some posters here, I am pretty d@m disappointed to not find help from Consumer Reports. I need to buy a new bed. My hubbie has been having shoulder and back problems, and now, for two weeks, so have I. Our bed is about 9 years old and was a pillow-top sealy type that we love love loved when we first got. But it's kinda killing us now, even with the memory foam topper we bought from Coss-co last year.

We've checked out the Tempurpedics and the coils and came very very close to buying a latex adjustable bed. I just couldn't pull the trigger on the purchase, not having done any research. And, as you all probably know, doing google searches for comparisons gives one absolutely nothing but fake research sites that provide 100% viral and other advertisement. It's gross how we can't trust anything any more. I come to Consumer Reports as a last bastion, always. I find serious comfort in knowing they're here. And this time, when I'm being asked to spend five to twenty times as much on this purchase than I have in the past, I have NOWHERE to go for reliable information. CR can't you just try? Take some of the suggestions here and try?

Since I only subscribed to CR to find comparative data on mattresses (durability, features, value, quality, etc.), can I get a refund on my subscription? I am very disappointed that CR isn't doing what it claims it exists to do...is CR being paid by the mattress industry to stay away from providng this data?

Well, this was the only reason I joined CR, so thanks a lot. I wonder what I'll want advice for next that you haven't bothered to find out. I would think that mattresses would be one of the main things people would check out. It's very confusing and an expensive item.

I too am disappointed with CR. Please, put forth the effort to give mattress buyers much needed information.

What is going on with ratings at CR??? The last 3 big purchase items I have logged on to research have not had ratings done on them. I've had to search the web for ratings on these items. 3 strikes and your'e out CR, I'm unsubscribing!

I'm sorry to see there is no mattress evaluations done at CR, but I am posting this as a warning to anyone who will listen.
I came here looking for info/report on Sleepnumber beds as I am just finishing my 30-Day in home trial. Not only is the bed very uncomfortable (for us), but now I find they are going to gouge us out of $159.99 more than agreed to when we return it. After calling and emailing the company numerous times about this charge, we are told we are lying and that the salesperson must have told us about it. I still have to call tomorrow to have them come get this bed, I'm afraid of what they will try and milk out of us before all is said and done.
Everyone beware of Sleepnumber, they are scammers.

Just subscribed to CR to research mattresses. Yep, very disappointed. CR needs a large banner on their home page stating they do not review/rate/report on mattresses.

You need to rate CR. I joined to get info on mattresses. Silly me..I trusted you. I will tell everyone I know about this.

I also turned to CR for guidance on mattresses. We just bought one which hasn't been delivered. We went home and started looking online and that model has mostly bad reviews but not sure we are comparing apples to apples because they are talking of sagging due to springs/coils and we were told we were buying a 100% latex model of Stearns and Foster, The Grand-Baroque which shouldn't have coils in the mattress. It is very hard to find useful info about them. CR is misleading because we search and are directed to buy your service to get the info and then we get nothing! You should remove the links all over the place regarding mattresses if you aren't going to back it up with good help!!

Ok, so CR doesn't do mattresses.... How about doing something on adjustable beds? Like the ones that raise and lower your head and feet?

I am thoroughly disappointed that Consumer Reports couldn't do a better job at researching and reporting on an item which every human uses, on average, 8 hours a day every day. I wasn't looking for you guys to tell me which mattress to purchase; but it would've helped to know which ones have not based some sort of base-line examination!

Shame on you.

Thanks, at least, for this blog opportunity, now I won't count on CR anymore for critical evaluations of consumer products. If you can't rate mattresses, which everyone in the world uses, and relies on for proper needed sleep, then what have you been in business for all these years? I thought that was your job. You mean to tell me you can't even rank the top contenders in each manufacturers line? Shame on you, CR.
Think about it again, please.

Hey I was looking on this site and it SAID Mattress review so I purchased a subscription.. guess what they lied they don't review mattress's

Unbelieveable! This was the worst evaluation regarding a mattress I have ever received from Consumer Reports. I would not even offer mattress info if, could not provide an educational answer...

Wow - seems to be an overwhelming consensus here. I have never posted a comment on web site before, but was so shocked that Consumer Reports does not rate mattresses that I could not help weighing in. Not sure when this policy began, but given the response from consumers, is CR reconsidering? Like so many, I too plan to unsubscribe from CR.

Of course there is no best mattress for everyone. There is no best car for everyone, no best TV for everyone and no best dishwasher for everyone. What a cop out.

I must say I'm awfully surprised that Consumer Reports doesn't rate at least mattress manufacturers, especially considering that there's so many new types of mattresses, like memory foam available today.

As a subscriber who depends on their reviews to make informed decisions, I'd be glad to see CR take another look at their mattress review policy.

I must say I'm awfully surprised that Consumer Reports doesn't rate at least mattress manufacturers, especially considering that there's so many new types of mattresses, like memory foam, available today [and you might note that these folks seem to have a history of dealing very fairly with their customers: www.bedinabox.com].

As a subscriber who depends on their reviews to make informed decisions, I'd be glad to see CR take another look at their mattress review policy.

What a waster of 26 bucks- I couldn't see that you dont rate mattresses (or even mattress companies) from the outside- now you've hooked me with the purchase, and I get ZERO info on what I seek. You've caved to the mattress manufacturer pressure to not look at this. I think it really kills the credibility o COnsumer Reports to take a pass, at least on complaints against specific manufacturers. I want my money back.

All the above is distinctly why I have not subscribed to Consumer Reports, a fine reference it once was, as I recall my parents used all the while as I was growing up. But it has changed, I'm afraid...for the worse. Sure would be nice to have some direction on purchasing a mattress. I nearly bought a Select Comfort until I read all the Comsumer Complaints. Thank God for the internet. At least comsumers are not afraid to talk.

After years of frustrations trying to compare mattresses, about 20 years ago a salesman in a small (now out-of-business) mattress store told us that the manufacturers purposefully assign different names to the same mattress at different stores so that the consumer cannot compare! To me that is an unfair practice by the industry. He showed us his notebook that had hand typed comparison charts from different dept and chain stores, and what each one was called at that store. After that we switched to the Original Mattress Factory, which we have here in GA. I am not sure where other locations are, but they do ship. We are very satisfied, and do not feel cheated. We have bought over 6 mattresses from them.

Our only problem was with the electric up/down model that my father wanted. The electrics stopped working. I would not buy one of those from anyone now.

But we still go to only the OMF because we get good prices, no sales gimmicks, and do not leave feeling cheated. Our newest bed is 4-5 years old and we still love it.

CR is being lazy, sure different people have different needs. At bare bones CR should give a quality rating of some top manufacturers.

I really want to try to find an adjustable bed that will be appropriate for my home, but there are a lot to choose from, and I don't know what criteria I should use or which manufacturers are reputable. I'm disappointed that CR doesn't rate these beds and hope they will do so soon. The "boomers" are getting older, and a lot of us will need devices such as these as time goes on.

Pretty disappointed as well at least let us know which ones are well made and which ones are not. Ditto on the Adjustable bed issue especially for all of us aging baby boomers.

I just subscribed to Consumer Reports to get helpful information regarding brands of mattresses, but like all the others, I am also very disappointed in getting no help. I have had a Spring Air Queen mattress for 3 years and hate it. I have complained to the company but they claim the body impressions are not a fault of the mattress, although they claimed "they are natural and will disappear" but they don't! Now I am shopping again for maybe a Serta or Sealy, or Simmons, but not Spring Air! Any helpful hints from anyone?? Thanks.

To the previous poster. DO NOT BUY A SERTA !!!! This company is one of the largest company to rip off blindly the american public. Their mattresses SUCK. I paid 1200 for their perfect sleep crap, and it sucked from the first day. It left body impressions in the pillow top that have never gone away and continue to get worse. The company would NOT back their product up. They wanted to charge 300 do come out and measure the depressions. Hey here's a novel idea...make clear sides on the mattress so consumers can see whats inside, instead of falling for what they SAY is inside. This crap has got to stop. Sleep in a primary neccessity for Everyone. CR or someone has got to blow this industry wide the hell open...