We have a lot of opinions and recommendations shared on this site, so you might have wondered “why should I trust ComfyBeddy.” The answer lies on this page. We know that for you to trust us and our opinion, you need to come with us on a quick journey through our reviewing methodologies, our testing process, and the reason behind our reviews. Here, you will find some detailed information on how we test each type of product.
Review Methodologies
We like to share with you our first-hand experience with products, so you can be aware of how a product actually feels without having to experience it yourself. To achieve this, we keep every aspect into consideration. Then, we sort out a list of the pros and cons of each product, narrowing them all down to products suitable for certain categories of individuals.
We also try not to rely on our basic senses and go further into testing in a way that can be relatable to everybody. We don’t test subjectively but based on facts and evidence accessible to everyone.
Why Do We Review Sleep Products
Sleep is an important factor in daily life and goes even further to determine how healthy you are as a human. Many can’t be at their best due to a lack of quality sleep. No matter what sleeper type you are (side sleeper, stomach sleeper, or back sleeper), there are options out there to help you get better sleep. That is why we dedicate our reviews to sleep products so we can help everybody with various preferences get a good night’s sleep.
Mattress Reviews
To review mattresses, we spend several days testing different aspects, including packaging, construction, firmness, motion transfer, and sinkage. We also sleep on the mattress for up to a week to check how it feels during that time and whether there are certain pain points after the test period.
Packaging
Firstly, we check the packaging, which is supposed to be also the first thing that any customer sees. We check if the packaging and the cover are intact and whether it is delivered just as it shows on the store website. If the mattress comes in a box, we also keep note of how long the off-gassing smell stays in a room with only one window.
Construction and Overall Feel
To check the construction of the mattress, we open up the covers and check all the layers separately. Then, we check how each layer feels considering firmness and bounce. We would also check the overall feel of the whole mattress. If the mattress has adjustable layers, we move them up and down to check whether there is a drastic change in how the mattress feels in each state.
Firmness and Edge Support
For this test, we need to do several things. Firstly, we sleep on the mattress for about 15 minutes minimum. Then, we compare how firm it feels to a medium mattress with a firmness level of 5. If the mattress feels firmer or softer than the medium one, then it goes into those different firmness categories.
To test the edge support, we sit on different parts of the mattress edge and measure how deep it sinks. If it actually sinks only less than half of the mattress height, it has good edge support.
Motion Transfer
Motion transfer is mostly important to couples sleeping on one bed, often complaining that they wake up because their partner moves a lot on the bed.
To test whether the mattress absorbs motion to a good extent, we place a small bottle of water on one side of the mattress and press on different spots with our hands to check whether the bottle moves or falls. Usually, if the bottle falls when there is motion far away from it on the mattress, it can mean that the mattress doesn’t have good motion isolation.
Sinkage
Sinkage level refers to how deep the mattress compresses when pressure is applied to it. To test this, we place 35 lb, 45 lb, and 56 lb weights on different spots on the mattress to measure how deep it sinks. This helps us understand the extent to which the mattress can hold different individuals with different weights.
Mattress Topper Reviews
Reviewing mattress toppers goes almost the same way as a mattress. We test the packaging, layers, firmness, and motion isolation. In addition, we apply some pressure to different parts or layers of the mattress toppers and check how long it takes for them to return to normal.
We also try to lie down on them and toss and turn as much as possible around the mattress topper for around 10 minutes to see how much it diverts from its original place on the mattress. The rule of thumb is that the mattress topper shouldn’t slide off the mattress edges.
Weighted Blanket Reviews
Weighted blankets are supposed to create the perfect balance between warm and cozy. They are usually heavier while not looking as heavy as other bulkier blankets. Nevertheless, to test these blankets, we had to check them from different aspects to make sure of their quality.
Sleeping Test
Firstly, we sleep with the weighted blanket to see whether it does a good job of covering up the body. It should also be light enough to allow us to move easily underneath it. However, it shouldn’t be so light that it doesn't keep the atmosphere under the blanket warm. If the blanket is not too heavy and not too light and functions well, it passes this test.
Washing Test
This test is important to know whether the blanket will shrink or lose its quality after washing it once. Sometimes, some materials and clothes tend to shrink after washing, but we cannot afford that to happen with a weighted blanket, since it’s supposed to cover the whole body.
Weight Test
We need to make sure the weight specified in the product details on the store website matches the actual weight. To measure the weight, we weigh ourselves once with the blanket and then another time without the blanket in our hands. Then, we divide the weights to find the actual weight of the blanket. If it all matches, then it passes this test as well.
Pillows Reviews
Pillows are usually the tricky part of bedding. Many people just can’t seem to get it right. This is mainly because everyone has a different preference, and the pillows can often get quite complex. That is why we have a few tests in place to ensure that we capture every single aspect of a pillow’s quality before making a choice.
Fatigue Test
First of all, a pillow should be able to support the neck, so we sleep with the pillow for up to 5 nights. After waking up, we take into consideration how the pillow makes our neck feel. Does the neck hurt after waking up from sleeping on the pillow? Do we feel tired during the day? If the pillow manages to take off some pressure from the spine and the neck and lets them rest, it passes this test.
Fold Test
We try to fold the pillow to see how firm it is. Usually, if the pillow can get folded in half, it can mean that in the long term, it is likely to lose its firmness and quality. We aim to find pillows that keep their shape and return to their original flat state after being folded.
Sinkage Test
For this test, we apply pressure on the pillow to check how deep it shrinks and how quickly it returns to normal. We also check whether it manages to support the head and the neck when it compresses, meaning whether it can fill up the gap with the neck.
Comfort Test
Lastly, we check whether the pillow is too hard or too soft, keeping into consideration all types of sleepers. If the pillow is too hard, even if it manages to provide the necessary support, we note that it might be suitable only for certain sleeper types.
Other Sleep Product Reviews
When it comes to other sleep products like sheets, smart devices, etc., we check whether they manage to fulfill their main purposes and whether there are any pros or cons to them. For these products, we also use our own experiences and try to test how different individuals can feel when using them.
It’s worth mentioning that we check every sleep product for a few days, at least, and avoid making decisions after one night or day of usage. If we have to use several tests for different products, we will take measures to do so.
Conclusion
No matter what type of product we test, or what test we use to determine the quality of certain products, we always try to have an inclusive attitude and consider different individuals in our conclusions. We also try to share as much information as we can with you to help you make decisions easier.
Allana Wass is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-chief at Comfybeddy. She was trained at the Spencer Institute to become a Certified Sleep Science Coach and has been featured in VeryWellMind, U.S. News, and Bustle. She has tested over 50 sleep products, which include mattresses, mattress toppers, and pillows. She has spent countless hours researching the mattress industry and learning about its cutting-edge technology for over four years, helping you improve your sleep. With her wealth of experience, she thoroughly reviews mattresses and other sleep products to give the best recommendations for each kind of sleeper.