Which? Don't Buy mattresses

Is your back getting the support it deserves while you sleep? Our tough tests uncover which mattresses are a dream to sleep on and the nightmare mattresses you should avoid.

A Don't Buy mattress won't provide the best support for you or your back and won't last as long as you'd expect. You'll be lumbered with one that will prevent you getting a good night's sleep and the hassle of organising a replacement.

Investing in a decent mattress doesn't need to cost the earth either. We've found Best Buys for less than £200.

Need an extra layer of defence? Find the best mattress protector

What makes a Don't Buy mattress?

Each year we test nearly 100 mattresses from the biggest brands such as Emma, Eve Sleep, Hypnos, Ikea, Silentnight, Simba and Tempur, plus many more brands. 

We found the best mattresses offer a combination of excellent support and durability, so you can rest easy at night. The worst offer poor support and won't last; they'll go soft, saggy and just won't be a great place to sleep at night.

• Body support: We measure the shape of a person’s body at 36 different points when standing and when lying on the mattress. A Don't Buy mattress might not help to keep your spine the same shape as when you’re standing up. 
• Durability: We simulate years of use by rolling heavy barrels over each mattress thousands of times. A Don't Buy mattress will get harder or softer over time. 
• Stabilisation: We use an oscilloscope to count the number of times the mattress bounces after impact before becoming calm again. With a bad mattress, you’re more likely to wake up when your partner turns or moves in the night. 

Join Which? to find out which mattresses we've named as Don't Buys.

How we test mattresses

Mattresses should last several years. So whether you’re planning to spend a couple of hundred pounds or over a thousand, it’s important to be confident that you're buying a good, durable mattress before handing over your cash. 

Which? has reviewed the latest mattresses, including mattresses from the biggest brands such as Emma, Eve and Simba to help find the best mattress for you. Our in-depth testing means we can recommend a mattress that will be supportive and stable, and last you for years.

• Our lab experts put every mattress through the same set of tests, including tests for body support, durability and stabilisation, so you'll know exactly what to expect.
• We give every mattress a Which? test score so you can immediately see at a glance which are the best and worst, plus how each mattress compares to the others.
• Our tests cover a range of brands, prices and types, including pocket sprung, memory foam and springs, latex, memory foam and open coil spring.

There's no room for unconscious bias, so you can trust our results and easily compare the best and worst mattresses. We're not influenced by third parties and we don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. We buy all the products that we test ourselves, so our advice helps you to make the right choice first time and avoid costly mistakes.

Our reviews will help you to avoid a bad choice when buying a mattress. Join Which? for instant access to our Best Buy and Don't Buy recommendations.