Here is a purchase that we all make, and that matters for our nights: a mattress. We must choose well, and the monthly “60 Million consumers” helps us to see more clearly.
The magazine 60 Million consumers is concerned, in this month of June, with the comfort of our nights, with a test of 9 mattresses with Adrian de San Isidoro, section editor at the magazine. A survey to read before buying a new mattress where we spend thousands of nights, because for example, trying a mattress is not enough to test its durability, explains the monthly.
franceinfo: What did you test, immediate comfort and/or durability?
Adrian of San Isidoro: We tested comfort over time, that is to say before and after our resistance tests, simulating aging for several years. The mattresses that received a good score in the durability criterion are those that provide more or less the same feelings of support and envelopment after our battery of tests.
And how did you go about measuring durability and comfort?
We tortured the mattresses in the laboratory to measure their ability to withstand weight, by applying a 140kg roller, in particular 30,000 times, to each reference. To assess comfort, 3 people of light, medium or heavy build lay down on our mattresses, which were covered with a sheet of measurements indicating the pressure points felt.
Do you necessarily have to pay a lot to have a mattress that will last a long time?
Not necessarily. The Emma model, sold for €500, comes second in our ranking. Which is still half the price of the Alinea model, which came first in the test. The Bultex mattress comes in at the bottom of the test, although it is marketed at more than 800€. Proof that you are not always guaranteed to be satisfied with your mattress, when you pay the price.
Which material to choose: foam, latex, springs? Winter/summer side? Antibacterial and mites, mold, washable cover?
So manufacturers put forward a number of qualities for these different types of mattresses. Natural latex, more expensive than the others, would for example be firmer, when foams and springs would offer good support at reasonable prices. In reality, what matters most, when you are an adult, is to opt for a mattress with a minimum density of 35kg/m3. Below this density, the sleeper risks not being supported enough and therefore experiencing chronic discomfort. Concerning the winter and summer sides. The winter side will generally be thicker, and therefore warmer than the summer side. Which can help sleepers regulate their temperature.
Finally, if you do not have allergies to particular biocidal substances, you can buy a mattress treated against dust mites and other bugs. If you are allergic or simply want to limit your exposure to chemical substances, it is better to turn to a removable model, whose envelope is washable at 40 degrees. After going through the washing machine, the presence of undesirables is greatly reduced.
Are the labels reliable?
It varies. The presence of biocides used, although mandatory to mention when there are any, are not always listed, which can be unfortunate in the event of an allergy. If in doubt, the easiest way is to ask the manufacturer. In the absence of an answer, it is better to set your sights on another model.
What models and brands can you recommend?
I would recommend two in particular: the Rougon model, from the Alinea brand, which came first in the test. In particular thanks to its good resistance to aging tests. And the Original model, by Emma, which has the best value for money in our ranking.
“Trial periods”, does it work or is it a scam?
it works, as soon as it is offered to you, but not all are equal. It is the sellers who apply their conditions. The site 1001lits.com, which markets many mattresses, offers for example a trial period of 100 nights, and rather offers the exchange, in case of dissatisfaction. Emma, on the other hand, does offer money back as part of its 100 night trial offer. It is therefore necessary to study the trial periods carefully before buying.
The recovery of your old mattress is always mandatory, and free?
Yes ! The seller who delivers the new mattress must take back the old one. Obligation written in black and white in the Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (Agec), which came into force at the start of 2022. But in fact, some professionals are reluctant to comply. If yours is dragging its feet, remind it of its obligations.