Heavenly sleep with the right mattress

On these mattresses you will sleep comfortably and painlessly. © Canva

Finding the perfect mattress is not easy. That's why we've collected tips and tricks for you and show you the best mattresses according to Stiftung Warentest.

Note to our readers: We create product comparisons and deals for you. To make this possible, we receive a commission from partners. This does not change anything for you.

Sleep is essential. Those who sleep well and sufficiently are usually fitter, more balanced and can often concentrate better. The right mattress contributes significantly to a restful sleep. It can also help relieve back pain and muscle tension.

Now the question arises: How do you find the perfect mattress for healthy sleep?

• What types of mattresses are there?
• This is what you should pay attention to when buying a mattress
• Which mattress for back pain?
• The test winners from Stiftung Warentest
• How to clean your mattress properly
• Sleep even better with the right equipment

What types of mattresses are there?

Spring mattress, cold foam, latex, gel or box spring mattress: there are many types of mattresses. Almost all models are available in different degrees of hardness and are suitable for allergy sufferers.

We have summarized which material has which special advantages for you here:

This is what you should pay attention to when buying a mattress

Every body is different and every person has their own individual sleeping habits. Therefore, choose your mattress just as individually, based on your sleeping habits and stature.

The perfect mattress is flexible

The perfect mattress should adapt to your body shape in any lying position and be flexible. According to the AOK, this means that pronounced parts of the body such as the shoulders and pelvis sink in comfortably. Rather inwardly curved parts such as the neck, the back of the knees and the loins should not form a cavity between the mattress and the body in the supine position.

The right degree of firmness of the mattress

The degree of hardness indicates how hard or soft a mattress is. Here, too, it is important to adjust the degree of hardness to your personal needs.

The degrees of hardness are abbreviated with the letter "H" plus a number between 1 and 5. H1 stands for a particularly soft mattress, while H5 means that the mattress is very hard.

Attention!

The degrees of hardness of mattresses are not standardized. Depending on the manufacturer, the actual degrees of hardness may differ. The degrees given are therefore only for rough orientation.

Mattresses with a firmness of 1 are rather rare, as they are designed for people who weigh less than 60 kilograms. H2 and H3 mattresses are the standard models, the lying feeling is medium firm to hard.

People with a body weight of 100 kilograms or more should use a mattress with a firmness level of 4 or 5. The firm material of the mattress provides sufficient support for the body when lying down.

In any case, it is advisable to try out the mattress in advance or even better: to sleep sample. Many providers have special return conditions for this.

If you have back pain, you can relieve the pain with a medium-firm mattress. © Canva

Which mattress for back pain?

For back pain, a visco foam mattress is suitable to reduce the discomfort. The foam adapts flexibly to the body and distributes the pressure so that there are no unpleasant pressure points. A cold foam mattress or a pocket spring mattress can also help you sleep without back pain.

The harder the mattress, the better for the back? This does not necessarily have to be true. If the mattress is too hard, uncomfortable pressure points can occur. If the mattress is too soft, the spine sags downwards, which can lead to pain in the upper and middle back. Again, you should pay attention to your individual needs. Basically, a mattress with firmness level 2 or 3 is recommended for back pain.

Tip

To avoid chilling, rotate and flip your mattress about every three weeks.

The test winners from Stiftung Warentest

Stiftung Warentest has tested several mattresses from different suppliers with regard to their lying properties, durability and pressure distribution. These are the foam mattresses, spring mattresses and latex mattresses with the best ratings:

The best foam mattresses

• Grade 1.7 from Stiftung Warentest: Emma Flip 25
• Grade 1.9 from Stiftung Warentest: Sun Garden V880 MemoVita
• Grade 2.2 from Stiftung Warentest: Breckle Ocean Blue

The bestspring mattresses

• Grade 1.8 from Stiftung Warentest: Emma One
• Grade 2.0 from Stiftung Warentest: Hn8 sleep systems Balance TFK
• Grade 2.3 from Stiftung Warentest: Badenia Trendline BT 1000

The best latex mattresses

• Grade 2.2 from Stiftung Warentest: Allnatura Sanastar-Comfort
• Grade 2.3 from Stiftung Warentest: Selecta L4
• Grade 2.3 from Stiftung Warentest: Raccoon natural mattress 1

All test results from Stiftung Warentest

How to clean your mattress properly

Basically, you should buy a new mattress every seven to ten years. In the meantime, it is recommended to clean the mattress regularly. From many models, you can remove the cover and wash it in the washing machine. If the mattress does not have a cover, a topper ensures more hygiene.

You can simply remove a topper from the mattress and clean it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. © Canva

In addition, you should ventilate the mattress again and again. In everyday life, it is enough to open the window for 20 to 30 minutes and let fresh air reach the mattress, pillows and blankets. Once a quarter, you should completely ventilate the mattress by removing it from the bed and placing it by the window.

Use a vacuum cleaner or lint roller to remove hair and dust from the mattress. In addition, to combat bacteria and mites in the mattress, regularly disinfect the surface with a spray.

Sleep even better with the right equipment

Toppers, neck pillows and mattress vacuum cleaners provide even more comfort and hygiene while sleeping. Visually appealing bed linen and electric blankets also ensure that you feel even more comfortable while sleeping and can rest restfully.

• 60% off: Mite vacuum cleaner from Aktimeo for €39.99
• 15% off: Hoover handheld vacuum cleaner for €127
• up to 50 % cheaper: 6 cm high topper in all sizes from 101,95 €
• 44% off: Joop! Reversible bed linen for € 83.99
• 25% off: Guido Maria Kretschmer bed linen for €29.99
• Only 29,90 € cheap topper for 140 x 200 cm on eBay
• Neck pillow 70 x 40 cm on eBay for €33.50
• Electric blanket 180 x 130 cm only 34,99 € on eBay