It’s that time again: Stiftung Warentest has tested foam and spring mattresses. There is also a new test winner – and it is not the most expensive model.
“You lie in your bed as you make your bed,” Bertolt Brecht already knew. But he probably didn’t necessarily mean mattresses. But the saying is fitting – because choosing the right sleeping surface decides whether you start the day completely exhausted in the morning or whether you can recover. This is a classic in purchasing advice – and even in the latest edition there are serious differences. Both in terms of price and quality.
In the current test, the experts tested five spring core and six foam mattresses. The good news: There was no “defective” mattress, but there was a new test winner among the foam models. In addition, the best new addition among the spring core mattresses is also the best value.
2000 euros thrown out the window
The most expensive mattress in the test, however, had to take a beating. The Tempur ProCoolQuilt, which costs 2000 euros and is well above the average price, only received an overall rating of “satisfactory” (2.9) in the test.
Not only did it only perform “moderately” well in terms of the important sleeping properties, but it was also the only mattress in the test that stood out because of a harmful substance. The testers found a “high content of the preservative and anti-mould agent zinc pyrithione”, they say. This is said to endanger reproduction and has been banned in cosmetics for years.
To make matters worse, the Tempur was also difficult to handle, as the heavy 25 kg sleeping pad does not even have handles.
It is also exciting to take a look at the latest technologies for mattresses. So-called “memory foam”, also known as a “visco layer”, is intended to significantly increase sleeping comfort by adapting to the contours of the body. In practice, however, it has been shown that this additional equipment rarely has a positive effect – and in tests it even led to cracks and problems in the climate chamber with some models.
Ikea convinces, mattress from fan takes the win
A look at this year’s test winners is all the more pleasing. In the spring mattress category, the from 199 euros. It is not only one of the cheapest models in the test, but also stood out due to its good lying properties, a very good cover and high durability. With an overall rating of “good” (1.9), it is only just behind the best-placed which already topped the test field last year with a 1.6 (“good”) and is currently priced at around 200 euros.
There is even a new winner in the foam mattress category. from the brand fan, currently available for around 230 euros, received a grade of 1.6 from the testers, i.e. a “good”. It received a “good” rating in terms of lying properties, and in all other disciplines it even achieved a “very good” rating. Stiftung Warentest only recommends a different model for tall, heavy back sleepers, such as the aforementioned spring mattress from Ikea or the foam model currently in second place from Breckle Weida for currently about 200 euros.
If you don’t want to commit to a specific degree of firmness, you should also look at the so-called duo mattresses. In this category, the testers did not test any new models this time, but still recommend the from Bett1.de or the both are available from about 200 euros.
A look at the prices reveals that a good mattress does not have to be expensive. Those who dig particularly deep into their pockets are even more likely to be disappointed.
The complete test and an overview of previously tested mattresses can be found for a fee on
Source: Stern
