Quite by accident. My wife and I got married and needed a new mattress in 2014. I ended up doing a ton of research, had a terrible in-store experience, and bought a mattress online. That first mattress we liked, but it wasn't amazing, so we returned it and then I bought another bed online.
It was better so we kept that one.
As a fun weekend hobby project I built a website and wrote reviews for those 2 mattresses that I had tried. People really love the reviews and asked me to test other mattresses. So I kept ordering mattresses, testing them, and then writing reviews.
It quickly blew up, was getting a ton of traffic, and within a few months I was able to leave my full time job and started my career as a professional mattress tester.
My salary is whatever money is left over after I paid for all of the company's expenses, including payroll for my employees.
I've been doing this for 12 years, so it seems sustainable to me. I greatly enjoy what I do, get to work with friends and family, and do something that helps people. Really it's a dream job to me.
The first 120 mattresses we tested my wife and just had sex on the mattress a few times over the course of a week. I would document those experiences and use them to determine our sex score.
Our more recent 438+ mattress tests use more objective and quantifiable data. Our sex score is a simple equation where we look at 5 different factors. Each factor is given a specific weight based on how important we think that factor is for most people.
Our sex equation considers bounce (65%), sitting edge support (20%), pressure relief (5%), cooling (5%), and noise (5%). Bounce is the most important, representing 65% of the score.
You can see more about our testing and scoring process for sex here - [https://naplab.com/how-we-test-mattresses/#h-sex](https://naplab.com/how-we-test-mattresses/#h-sex)
Winkbed, Saatva Classic, Leesa Sapira (in that order).
You can see every mattress ranked by overall score here - [https://naplab.com/mattress-comparisons/](https://naplab.com/mattress-comparisons/) \- this tool also lets you sort and filter a ton of options.
As far as mattresses I haven't tested yet, definitely. I have a big list of mattresses that I'd still like to test. Many are relatively newer models that I just haven't had the chance to get to yet. Some are super expensive ($10K) that I just haven't been able to justify the purchase of yet.
If money is no object I really like the Helix Midnight Elite. It's got arguably the best cooling cover on the market today. Check out the review here - [https://naplab.com/mattress-reviews/helix-midnight-elite-review/](https://naplab.com/mattress-reviews/helix-midnight-elite-review/)
Higher end mattresses are usually super thick and using higher density materials. Those aspects greatly improve durability and feel, but they also typically negatively impact response and sex (hence the lower score). So while the Midnight Elite loses some points in those areas, it makes up for it with greater durability, luxury feel, and among the best cooling / pressure relief I've tested.
Absolutely.
Zenhaven, Amerisleep AS2/AS3/AS5, Endy, Leesa Original, DreamCloud Luxe, Novosbed, and Loom & Leaf are just a few of the high performance foam, memory foam, and latex foam mattresses I've tested.
You can see more (ranked by performance) here - [https://naplab.com/mattress-comparisons/?\_mattress\_type=memory-foam%2Cfoam%2Clatex&\_mattress\_shipping=usa](https://naplab.com/mattress-comparisons/?_mattress_type=memory-foam%2Cfoam%2Clatex&_mattress_shipping=usa)
The mattress I've personally slept on since 2017 is a mattress called Loom & Leaf. It's a higher-end memory foam mattress. Memory foam as a material type isn't ideal for everyone, but my wife and I simply love the body contouring hug, low motion transfer, and incredible pressure relief it creates more than the drawbacks. You can see my review here - [https://naplab.com/mattress-reviews/loom-leaf-review/](https://naplab.com/mattress-reviews/loom-leaf-review/)
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is arguably the best value mattress on the market today. We just recently tested the newest version and it is incredibly impressive. Review here - [https://naplab.com/mattress-reviews/brooklyn-bedding-signature-hybrid-review/](https://naplab.com/mattress-reviews/brooklyn-bedding-signature-hybrid-review/)
Leesa Original, Glacier Original, and Boring Hybrid are also all solid choices. You can see the full ranked list here - [https://naplab.com/best-mattress/best-affordable-mattress/](https://naplab.com/best-mattress/best-affordable-mattress/)
For sure, go with a California King size. It's a bit longer than a standard King, which will be helpful for your height.
Beyond that, you may also benefit from an HD mattress. You didn't mention your body weight, but I guess at 6'5" you have more body mass than average. An HD mattress can help to better support your body type than a typical mattress.
Take a look at the options here - [https://naplab.com/best-mattress/best-mattress-for-heavy-people/](https://naplab.com/best-mattress/best-mattress-for-heavy-people/)
I haven't tested anything from Sam's yet, but I have tested 27 models from Costco.
In general, I've been really unimpressed with the models that Costco carries. That said, there are a handful that perform well. You can see the complete list of rankings for Costco here - [https://naplab.com/best-mattress/best-costco-mattress/](https://naplab.com/best-mattress/best-costco-mattress/)
Really depends on the brand.
Sleep EZ I really like because it's harder to mess up. All of their materials are high performance, high quality, and within a reasonable firmness range.
That said, many DIY type mattress places provide so many options that it's really easy to create a mattress that looks great on paper, but feels terrible in your bedroom. Over the years I've come across far more DIY-fail stories than I have success stories.
You'll want to go with an HD / plus sized mattress that's specifically designed for heavier weighted bodies. I'd recommend one of these options here - [https://naplab.com/best-mattress/best-mattress-for-heavy-people/](https://naplab.com/best-mattress/best-mattress-for-heavy-people/)
Nectar are about average performers, with some of their models earning modestly better than average scores.
If you like memory foam and need something on the less expensive side I think Nectar can be a perfectly good choice.
You can see how every Nectar ranks here - [https://naplab.com/mattress-comparisons/?\_mattress\_shipping=usa&\_mattress\_brand=nectar](https://naplab.com/mattress-comparisons/?_mattress_shipping=usa&_mattress_brand=nectar)
Mattress brands are always changing, though typically more gradually and over many years.
Unfortunately, I don't have the complete historical data on the oldest Tempurpedic models to compare to the newer models. That said, it's reasonable to think that foam formulations have changed over time and foam densities have likely lowered over time (especially in Tempurpedic's less expensive models). Decreasing foam densities is something we've seen from many other brands as well, so I think it's a reasonable guess to make here as well.
Those changes may be beneficial to some sleepers, while at the same time causing them to be worse for others (like yourself).
Contamos con una batería de pruebas objetivas y basadas en datos que proporcionan información cuantificable sobre cada colchón, lo que nos ayuda a realizar recomendaciones fundamentadas y respaldadas por datos a nuestros lectores. Consulte nuestro proceso de pruebas completo aquí - [https://naplab.com/how-we-test-mattresses/](https://naplab.com/how-we-test-mattresses/)
For pillows, what I recommend for most is the Nest Bedding Easy Breather. It comes overstuffed with a memory foam + poly fiber fill. Most notably, it's fully adjustable. So you can get the exact height and density that works best for your body. This one has been in my rotation with handful of other pillows over the last decade.
Other pillows my wife and I have been using for personal use since 2017 include Oreous (another adjustable pillow), Casper Original, SHEEX, and Ghostbed Down Alternative.
I'd say Easy Breather and Oreous are the best choices for most, due to their adjustability.
For mattresses monetizing it was fairly straight forward, as there were referral programs with the mattress brands I was already testing and reviewing.
In the world of books you can do the same with referral links through Amazon and other retailers.
Beyond that, she may be able to build support through Patreon if your audience finds your book reviews valuable enough.
In that case, take a look at the Logan and Cove Choice - [https://naplab.com/mattress-reviews/logan-and-cove-choice-review/](https://naplab.com/mattress-reviews/logan-and-cove-choice-review/)
It's similar design and a very strong performer.
Big Fig makes a great mattress. They are tuned for heavier weighted bodies, so it's no surprise to hear that it's holding up well.
I've tested a few of their models and always found them to be strong performers.
Glad to hear it's working well for you!
The best mattress we've tested to date is the Winkbed. It's a high performance hybrid that's $1.7K (Queen), which I'd argue is a very reasonable price given the performance and material quality. You can see my review here - [https://naplab.com/mattress-reviews/winkbed-review/](https://naplab.com/mattress-reviews/winkbed-review/)
As far as I can tell, most of the major mattress review sites are owned by Pillar4 and One Care Media / Sleep Doctor Holdings. Those companies own multiple review and content sites that do sleep / mattress content, as well as other health / wellness content.
As far as if those parent companies are owned by mattress companies? I just don't know.
You're too kind. Thank you very much. If you need any help choosing your next mattress be sure to check out my quiz here - [https://naplab.com/mattress-quiz/](https://naplab.com/mattress-quiz/) \- no AI, no automation, just me + my team providing personalized recommendations (usually back within 24 hours).
Overall, excellent. Their mattresses have consistently earned better than average scores in our tests.
I've been sleeping on a Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress for personal use for the last 9 years.
You can find all of my Saatva reviews here - [https://naplab.com/mattress-comparisons/?\_mattress\_shipping=usa&\_mattress\_brand=saatva](https://naplab.com/mattress-comparisons/?_mattress_shipping=usa&_mattress_brand=saatva)
The Logan and Cove Choice mattress is the hardest mattress I've ever slept on. It only has 3 in of foam on the top so it's brutal it's on. If you like a super firm mattress or your stomach sleeper it might be good for you. If you're a side sleeper forget it
I have a Logan and cove choice. I've had it for about 6 months and grateful for the one year return. I've had so much body pain lately. It's just too firm for me. I kept hoping that I would adjust to it but no. I feel like there's not enough foam layer on the top and I can feel the coils.
On a positive note, it's a nice height, The Edge support is excellent. If you suffer from any types of aches and pains this may not be the one for you.
I'm really considering returning it for a douglas. Not sure which one. Also I was told that you're only allowed to return one mattress with the company. If the Douglas for some reason is not right all be stuck with it.
I slept on a Douglas last year for about a month. They had had it for many years so by then it was a little too soft but generally speaking I did not toss and turn on it and found it really great for that reason. Very cradling.
I would recommend from the mattresses I have tried definitely suggest going with the Douglas.
The mattress I had prior was a regular one from Sleep Country but a very high-end mattress. Not a bed in a box. It was very good quality. I decided to exchange it and found that the Logan and Cove Choice felt how my mattress was when I wanted to replace it.
I got the Choice mattress from Logan & Cove.
I forget where I found the ratings but I believe it’s the firmest mattress (medium firm) offered by the umbrella company [Good Morning](https://www.goodmorning.com/), which owns Juno, Douglas, and Logan & Cove.
I had the same pain after the break in period. Ended up returning mine and getting a Canadian made non-boxed mattress from Modern Mattress. One word of caution to OP -once you return a Logan and Cove during the sleep trial period it excludes you from returning any other mattress from that umbrella company. From their site: "The trial applies one time across all GoodMorning.com mattress brands, including Douglas, Juno, Logan & Cove, and Octave."
Another vote for Logan and Cove. It’s got just enough give to make stomach and side sleeping comfortable but not so squishy that it leaves a back sleeper unsupported.
derek-naplab
