Mattresses don't come with expiration dates, but if your mattress is more than eight years old, you might want to consider a replacing it.
A bad or worn-out mattress can cause all kinds of aches and pains (watch video, right). But high markups by retailers and the seemingly endless number of brands and models can make you lose even more sleep.
We cut through the hype by cutting open mattresses and comparing the padding, ticking, and coil count. Dozens of Consumer Reports staffers also participated in three weeks of testing of innerspring, memory-foam and adjustable-air mattresses.
Check out our free buyer's guide to mattresses and also:
• Buy mattresses only when they're on sale since retailers mark up mattresses significantly.
• Avoid buying a mattress over the phone or online. We strongly recommend that you don a set of loose, comfortable clothes and slip-on shoes and try out each mattress in the store for at least 15 minutes.
• Start with lower-priced mattresses and work your way up to the point were you feel comfortable, than look at other mattresses in that price range. And don't shy away from haggling.Look for our full report on mattresses and bed sheets in the May 2010 issue of Consumer Reports, on ConsumerReports.org and newsstands next week. It will include a detailed look at the difference between a $1,000 and $2,000 mattress from one major national manufacturer.
Essential information: Check out our ratings of mattress brands and mattress stores, and share your opinions in our mattress-buying forum.
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