Which? Best Buy

The Best Buy accreditation is awarded only to products and services that Which ? has judged as providing excellent quality through its independent tests and assessments.

Look out for our lines that have achieved a coveted Which? Best Buy.

A Which? accredited double mattress undergoes rigorous testing before receiving an overall score percentage. The score is determined by a series of individual tests and checks, ranging from evaluations of body support to the testing of mattress ‘breathability’.

The testing criteria for mattresses include three main categories:

• Assessing the performance of the mattress, in particular, how well it supports your body 
• Determining the level of durability the mattress provides 
• Analysing the ‘ease of use’ of the mattress

Which? uses specialised technology to determine the performance of the mattress. To create an accurate reading, the shape of a person’s body is measured at 36 different points, in varied positions. 

The breathability of a mattress is tested in a specially designed humidity chamber. The amount of moisture passing through each layer determines how breathable the mattress is.

Another test uses heavy barrels that run back and forth along the mattress. This mimics approximately 10 years of use and determines the level of durability that the mattress can withstand.

Browse all of our Which? Best Buy mattresses.

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Allergy UK

Hypoallergenic mattresses reduce the effects of allergy triggers such as mould, dust mites and bacteria.

Dust mites thrive in the dry skin we shed throughout our lives. Hypoallergenic mattresses typically prevent these dust mites from penetrating the mattress.

The Seal of Approval™ includes strict protocols that have been created by leading allergy specialists and scientists. Thorough testing ensures the approved products are suitable for people affected by allergies.

An independent laboratory carries out the testing, which is specially designed to measure the removal/reduction of allergens. These protocols are based on industry standards for product performance testing with added care to the removal and reduction of allergens. 

When you see the Allergy UK Seal of Approval™ on one of our mattresses, you can be confident that it is made with quality materials that are suitable for allergy sufferers. 

Discover all of our Allergy UK approved mattresses.

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Forest Stewardship Council

Every FSC label is held up to a strict set of forestry standards. These include supporting zero deforestation, the safeguarding of ancient and endangered forests, fair wages and work environments, biodiversity preservation, and community rights, including the rights of indigenous peoples. 

When manufacturers meet the FSC’s forest-friendly standards, they are given a chain-of-custody certification. This shows that the manufacturers are committed to sustainable sourcing, while also verifying that processes have been put in place to produce FSC-certified products.

As a company, Mattress Online cares about sustainability and the environment, so we always aim to stock beds that are FSC certified.

*56% of global customers based on a global sample size.

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National Bed Federation

Manufacturers must comply with a strict Code of Practice, which ensures they are following the right processes and procedures to produce high-quality products. Once these standards are met, the company and/or product is given an NBF-approved label. This offers a seal of approval for suppliers while giving consumers confidence in the products for sale. 

The criteria include complying with:

• Flammability standards
• Cleanliness of fillings - which means any materials used need to be fully traceable 
• Specification - the products need to be made and sold as they are actually described 

Professional, independent auditors are sent to ensure manufacturers are putting the processes in place that guarantee ongoing compliance. For complete confidence, the federation re-audits regularly to ensure members are complying with the industry standards.

To see the NBF Code of Practice in its entirety, please read this document.

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Ideal Home

The specialists at Ideal Home must run each product through a 5-stage process for a product to gain an Ideal Home accreditation. 

This process consists of:

• Testing the product
• In-depth research into the product and brand 
• Visiting factories or showrooms to gain insider knowledge
• Speaking to industry professionals to gain more knowledge of upcoming trends
• Consulting with the wider team at Ideal Home to gauge general product satisfaction 

When testing mattresses, the team sleep on the product for a minimum of 1 month. This enables the reviewers to adapt to the new sleeping environment (mattress). A lot is taken into consideration when testing mattresses. The experts assess:

• Comfort 
• Motion isolation
• Edge support
• Breathability 

All of these are required for a mattress to offer an optimal night of sleep. 

Once the testing has been completed, the product is given a rating out of 5 stars. Outstanding products that receive 4.5 stars or higher are awarded an ‘Ideal Home Approved’ recommendation.

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Royal Warrant of Appointment

A Royal Warrant of Appointment is one of the most prestigious awards granted to brands and manufacturers of goods in the UK. 

Awarded personally by the Royal Household and signed by the monarch, it permits the manufacturer the honour of displaying the Royal Arms on their products as recognition of the goods being supplied to the Royal Household. 

Dating back to the 12th century, tradesmen and craftspeople would compete for royal recognition. By the 15th century, the Royal Warrant of Appointment was established and continues to this day.

Among these esteemed Royal Warrant holders are UK mattress manufacturers Hypnos and Sleepeezee. Both brands are committed to providing the highest quality and standards in the craftsmanship of their mattresses. 

Royal Warrants are reviewed every 5 years, as well as when they pass to a new monarch. The King will grant the Royal Warrant once the following aspects of the product have been reviewed: quality, materials and ethics of the brand. A true stamp of approval!

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Red Tractor

Red Tractor is the UK’s largest and most recognised farming standard organisation in the UK. You might associate the familiar Red Tractor logo with meat and produce you find in the supermarket. In fact, all farms can become Red Tractor certified, including the ones that breed the sheep, alpacas, goats and birds that produce natural fibres commonly used in mattresses, bedding and other household goods.

Every year, 350 independent inspectors carry out over 60,000 farm inspections to check their exacting standards are met. How a farm treats its livestock and produce is scrutinised, including how it is packed, transported and stored. Every farm that meets a Red Tractor Certification standard is required to have a livestock health plan in place. Vets must also perform annual health checks on the animals and their welfare. 

Brands like Hypnos pride themselves on over 100 years of using homegrown British materials. All natural fibres used within a Hypnos product can be directly traced back to its source through Red Tractor, including the materials gathered from the sheep on their very own farm.

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