Warentester Expensive mattresses are usually not better than cheap

Inexpensive mattresses and high priced often with similar reviews
Those who spend a lot of money on a mattress usually assume that they have acquired a high-quality product. But that does not always have to be the case. Many manufacturers and retailers want to sell products that are as expensive as possible. But expensive mattresses often do not keep what they promise. Stiftung Warentest found that expensive mattresses often find themselves in the satisfactory range, as well as much cheaper models.

Lidl and Aldi often better than expensive luxury models
Stiftung Warentest has tested 214 mattresses within the last six years. It was found that rolling mattresses from Aldi or Lidl (from 70 euros) can be better than expensive luxury models. The best rated mattress cost just 199 euros. There are several "good" mattresses for a price of under € 300. Many expensive models are saggy within a few years. The number of zones of a mattress says nothing about the quality, as well as the price.

Expensive mattresses are not necessarily the better ones. (Image: Ljupco Smokovski / fotolia.com)

Advertising fairy tale of the dealers
When buying a mattress, you should make sure that it fits your body shape. In addition, the hardness should be considered to avoid back pain and other discomfort. Sellers usually try to seduce with fake arguments to buy. To promote sales, for example, claims mattresses should be at least 20 inches high, gel foam is particularly high quality or mattresses could develop their optimal reclining properties only on a special slatted frame.

Matching mattresses for every type of body and sleep
But what does a good mattress really need? According to the Stiftung Warentest, they should support and maintain the normal S-shape of the spine. The back should be relieved and optimally supported in every position, no matter in which position the user sleeps. There is a suitable model for every sleeper. Spring mattresses are good for people who perspire heavily, but are relatively heavy and have low thermal insulation. Boxspring beds are usually quite high, so they make lying and getting up easier and have good thermal insulation thanks to a so-called topper made of cold foam. Mostly they are expensive and bulky. The construction of the transport of moisture can also be severely limited. Latex mattresses have a pleasant feeling of lying, a good thermal insulation and a good durability. The disadvantages of latex mattresses are a moderate moisture transport. They are heavy and wobbly. This causes difficulties in turning and turning. Cold foam mattresses are durable and elastic. According to Stiftung Warentest, they are suitable for adjustable slatted frames, are easy to turn and have good thermal insulation. Disadvantages are a moderate transport of moisture and it can form Liegekuhlen. In addition, the hardness within a batch can vary due to fluctuating quality.

Thirteen expensive mattresses in the current test
According to the Stiftung Warentest, 13 expensive mattresses were recently tested. The prices varied from 600 euros to almost 1,400 euros. The best performers were the "Swissflex Versa" for € 860 and the "Naturlatex Supra-Comfort Allergy" from Allnatura for € 640 in the upper price range. The "Technogel Piacere" for 1390 euros was the most expensive mattress in the test, but received only the rating "satisfactory". The mattress quickly became soft and saggy. According to Stiftung Warentest, this problem also occurred in Matine Concord's "MLine Slow Motion III". As part of the test, Stiftung Warentest rolled a 140-kilogram roller 60,000 times over a mattress. According to the examiner, this corresponds to the strain and wear of about eight years of use.

More zones does not mean more sleep quality
The manufacturers often try to give the impression that more zones are better with a mattress and support the spine optimally. Holger Brackemann, Head of Investigations at Stiftung Warentest, quotes "Focus Online" as saying that seven zones do not really make sense, because depending on the size, different people with different parts of the body lie on separate zones.

Sleep types and their lying characteristics
Mattresses were tested for their lying characteristics for four common types of sleep (HEIA types). Type H is suitable for tall and heavy people with heavy belly and shoulder weight. Type E includes tall and heavy people who also carry a lot of weight on their hips. Type I is optimal for small and light people. Type A is for sleepers that are narrow at the top, but have more weight on the stomach and pelvis, explains Stiftung Warentest. (As)