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National Mattress Comfort IQ™

National Mattress Comfort IQ™

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National Mattress Comfort IQ™

Not all mattresses are created equal.

Comfort IQ™ helps you shop smarter by turning mattress “feel” and “performance” into clear, comparable scores.

Firmness is one part of the story. Comfort IQ™ is the full scoring framework.

Choosing a mattress online shouldn’t feel like a gamble. Comfort IQ™ is National Mattress’ testing and analysis framework that combines mattress construction/spec data (materials, layers, coils, cover fabrics, edge systems, and more) with standardized performance tests and hands-on evaluation. The result is a set of simple scores that make it easier to compare mattresses and choose the best option for your specific needs.

Comfort IQ™ scores at a glance

Firmness Index (1–100): helps you find the feel you like (soft → firm).
Performance Scores (1–10): shows how a mattress performs in the areas that matter most (cooling, pressure relief, motion isolation, etc.).
Overall Score (1–10): a weighted summary of key performance categories for a quick comparison.

How most people use Comfort IQ™

Pick your firmness range (the feel you prefer).
Prioritize your top performance needs (example: cooling or motion isolation).
Compare the short list using the overall score and “best for” notes.

Why Comfort IQ™ is different

Typical Mattress Shopping	Comfort IQ™ Shopping
One label like “plush” or “firm”	A Firmness Index (1–100) plus Performance Scores (1–10) so you can compare both feel and function.
Hard to compare across brands	A consistent framework designed for apples-to-apples comparisons across different constructions and price points.
Doesn’t explain what’s happening “under the cover”	We include the materials and build details that influence comfort, support, cooling, movement, and durability.

1) Comfort IQ™ Firmness Index (1–100)

Firmness is a “feel” measurement. Comfort IQ™ turns vague labels like “medium” into a more precise score you can filter and compare online.

Lower scores: softer, more contouring feel.
Mid-range scores: classic “medium” balance of cushion and support.
Higher scores: firmer, more supportive “on top” feel.

Important: Firmness isn’t “better” or “worse.” Two mattresses can feel similar in firmness but perform very differently—so we also publish full performance scores.

2) Comfort IQ™ performance scores (1–10)

These scores help you choose the right mattress for your use case. Each category is rated on a 1–10 scale so comparisons are simple.

Performance categories we score

Cooling & Breathability: heat management and airflow.
Pressure Relief: reduces pressure at shoulders, hips, and lower back.
Spinal Support & Alignment: helps keep your spine neutral.
Motion Isolation: limits movement transfer across the bed.
Edge Support: stability for sitting and sleeping near the edge.
Responsiveness & Ease of Movement: how quickly the surface adapts when you change positions.
Durability & Build Quality: materials and construction indicators tied to long-term expectations.
Brand: track record and ownership experience factors (including support expectations).
Odor & Off-Gassing: initial smell and how quickly it dissipates.

The “best” mattress depends on which scores matter most to you—not just one number.

3) Comfort IQ™ overall score (1–10)

The overall score is a weighted summary of key performance categories. It’s designed to give you a quick, at-a-glance comparison once you’ve narrowed your options.

Note: In some Top 10 lists, category weights may shift depending on the list goal (example: cooling is weighted higher in “Best Cooling Mattresses”). The individual category scores are not adjusted.

How Comfort IQ™ helps you choose the right mattress

Example: Hot sleeper

Start by choosing the firmness feel you like, then prioritize a higher Cooling & Breathability score.

Top priorities: Cooling
Helpful tie-breakers: Responsiveness (if you move a lot), Edge Support (if you use the full surface)

Example: Side sleeper with shoulder/hip pressure

Side sleepers often need more cushion at pressure points. Look for higher Pressure Relief and confirm strong Spinal Support & Alignment.

Top priorities: Pressure Relief + Spinal Alignment
Helpful tie-breakers: Motion Isolation (if you share the bed)

Example: Couples (partner moves at night)

If you’re easily disturbed, prioritize Motion Isolation. If you sleep near the edge or share a smaller size, also prioritize Edge Support.

Top priorities: Motion Isolation + Edge Support
Helpful tie-breakers: Cooling (two sleepers often sleep warmer than one)

Example: Back sleeper (support-focused)

Back sleepers typically do best with strong, even support. Prioritize Spinal Support & Alignment, then make sure there’s enough Pressure Relief for comfort.

Top priorities: Spinal Alignment
Helpful tie-breakers: Durability (long-term), Responsiveness (for combination sleepers)

These are common patterns, not rules. If you tell us your sleep position, temperature needs, and firmness preference, we can recommend the best matches.

Where Comfort IQ™ scores come from (high-level)

Construction & spec review: materials, layer design, coil systems, covers, and build quality details.
Standardized tests: repeatable test methods for cooling behavior, motion transfer, edge performance, responsiveness, and more.
Hands-on evaluation: real-world comfort and usability notes to capture feel and sleeper experience.

Want the full details?

Comfort IQ™ is the simplified scorecard. For the complete breakdown of every test and how each score is calculated, read our full methodology page.

Read: How We Test Our Mattresses

Benefits you’ll only find at National Mattress

Commission-Free Experts across our showrooms - objective advice, zero upselling.
Transparent Specs - clear component breakdowns to help you compare confidently.
Fast, Free Delivery - throughout Ontario (and canada-wide).
Social Impact - a portion of every sale helps fund bed kits for children in need via Sleeping Children Around the World.