The No-Bullsh*t, Fast, Accurate Mattress Selector

 
Budget
No Preference
If you're not sure, or price doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
Very Low (under $600)
Very Low priced mattresses are basic and often best suited for temporary / light adult use or everyday child use. But a significant number of adults use them everyday, often with at least fair satisfaction.
Low ($600-$1199)
Low priced mattresses are a highly competitive segment. They tend to be somewhat basic.
Modest ($1200-$1800)
Modest priced mattresses tend to be thicker and have better features, such as handles and better (edge) support.
High ($1800+)
High priced mattresses tend to consist mostly of luxurious and specialty mattresses.

Firmness
No Preference
If you're not sure, or firmness doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
Soft
Soft tends to be best for light-weight people or anyone preferring soft. Not often suited for stomach sleep.
Medium
Medium tends to be best for average-sized people who sleep on their side exclusively.
Medium-Firm
Medium-Firm tends to be best for average- to above-average sized people of any sleep position.
Firm
Firm tends to be best for those preferring firm. Not often suited for side sleep especially.

Mattress Type
No Preference
If you're not sure, or mattress type doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
Memory Foam
Memory Foam. Pros: above-average pressure relief, motion isolation, no noise. Cons: initial odor potential, limited or no bounce, heat retention possible, questionable edge support.
Innerspring
Innerspring. Pros: consumer familiarity, bounce, traditional feel. Cons: so-so pressure relief and longevity.
Hybrid
Hybrid. Pros: combination of (memory) foam and innerspring, often good support. Cons: can be pricey and heavy.
Air
Air. Pros: couple friendly due to adjustable comfort for each side, above-average support potential. Cons: can be pricey, some noise, can break / stop working, limited availability.
Latex
Latex. Pros: customizable in some cases, many firmness options, can appeal to green shoppers. Cons: can be fairly pricey and heavy, availability limited.

Support
No Preference
If you're not sure, or mattress support doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
Above Average
If you are a large person (230+ lbs) or prefer a high level of support, then choose Above Average. Keep in mind that above-average support often comes at a higher price.
Conforming Ability
No Preference
If you're not sure, or conforming ability doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
Below Average
Below Average is a slight hug. Pros: ease of body movement, little heat, and often low price. Cons: limited comfort, often not helpful for back-pain relief.
Average
Average is a moderate hug. Pros: compromise between movement ease and comfort. Cons: some pressure may be felt, limited back-pain relief.
Above Average
Above Average is a substantial hug. Pros: often minimal pressure, potential for back-pain relief. Cons: can sink into mattress somewhat, potential for some body movement difficulty and perhaps heat retention.
High
High is a strong hug. Pros: minimal pressure, less tossing & turning, above-average sleep quality likely, potential for back-pain relief. Cons: can sink in substantially, often difficult to move on / get up off, at least slight heat retention probable, pricey.
Bounce
No Preference
If you're not sure, or mattress bounce doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
None
None is two or fewer rebounds. Pros: movement made by one person will not disturb another person on the mattress. Cons: no bounce is sometimes not preferred for sex.
Some
Some is four or fewer rebounds. Pros: movement made by one person will not much disturb another person on the mattress. Cons: bounce may still be too limited to be ideal for sex.
Moderate
Moderate is over four rebounds. Pros: commonly preferred for sex. Cons: more likely that one person's movement will disturb another on the mattress.

Edge Support
No Preference
If you're not sure, or edge support doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
Good
If you regularly sleep or sit near the mattress edge then select Good. Keep in mind that good edge support often comes at a higher price.
Heat Retention
No Preference
If you're not sure, or heat retention doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
As Little As Possible
Some mattresses seem more likely to retain heat than others. If you have a clear history of sleeping hot, then select As Little As Possible.
Thickness
No Preference
If you're not sure, or thickness doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
Thin (under 10”)
Thin is best suited for people of below average size, including children. Thin mattresses tend to be relatively low priced and light weight.
Average (10-12”)
Average is well suited for people of average size.
Thick (over 12”)
Thick is often well suited for tall or large people or anyone seeking a mattress with a luxurious, tall presence. Thick mattresses tend to be higher priced and heavier.

Return Policy
No Preference
If you're not sure, or return policy doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
Strong
If you require your new mattress to fully meet your needs (you're picky), or if you have a history of returning mattresses, then select Strong. Keep in mind that you will often pay more for a mattress with a strong return policy all else being equal. Also know that selecting Strong may limit the output of quality mattresses in your results.
Time Tested
No Preference
If you're not sure, or the time that a mattress has been on the market doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
Yes
Many mattresses today are new to the market. If you are risk averse and prefer a mattress that has been proven by time, then select Yes.
SLTD Rating
No Preference
If you're not sure, or Sleep Like The Dead's overall rating of a mattress and the company that makes it doesn't matter to you then choose No Preference.
Above-Average
SLTD Rating is Sleep Like The Dead's overall rating of a mattress and the company that makes it based on over 20 factors. Selecting Above Average will increase the quality of output in general terms but may decrease the quality of output in terms of meeting your specific wants and needs.