How We Test Our Mattress

Sealy research & development

The science behind Sealy

We strive to ensure that your mattress is rigorously tested and designed to last, and that your Sealy product looks and feels the same on day 3650 as it does on day 1.

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Sealy research & development

What do we measure?

Every Sealy mattress is built to specific criteria set by the Orthopaedic Advisory Board. We measure our construction methods, designs and prototypes to ensure they offer correct support and optimal comfort in line with these requirements. 

We also conduct quality assessments on our components and materials. We strive to produce mattresses that deliver exceptional performance for years to come. The intersection of comfort, support and durability is the foundation of our Posturepedic Criteria and it is what makes our mattresses unique.

The importance of R&D

We are proud to have a unique and diverse team in R&D with extensive technical knowledge and industry experience. Hailing from varied disciplines, the team includes designers, engineers, scientists, project managers, mechanical specialists, upholsterers and more.

From ensuring that the comfort of each mattress is as exceptional as possible, to testing the sturdiness of the mattress edge or the durability of the mattress itself, Sealy’s Research and Development team strive for nothing less than perfection.

With the only accredited mattress test lab in the country, we take R&D seriously. We are constantly working on developing better beds to help people all over the world get a better night’s sleep.

What do we measure?

Comfort Layers

Your Sealy mattress is designed to cushion your pressure points and minimise any impact on your body. We use this research to develop mattresses with optimal comfort layers for deep, refreshing sleep.

Sealy Pressure Mapping Test

This test is performed by lowering a manikin onto a sensor mat. Using specialist software, we measure the performance of the mattress in terms of pressure distribution.

Essentially, we are able to see whether it has sufficient cushioning. If the amount of pressure is too high, it indicates that the mattress is not offering appropriate comfort.

Sealy Cornell test

Our Cornell device presses into the mattress with 102kg of force 100,000 times. This test is the equivalent of someone sitting in the same spot over and over again.

We do this to see how the materials stand up to continual pressure. The height and comfort of the mattress should not be compromised beyond an acceptable amount, even after years of use.

Sealy Partner disturbance test

We use weighted rollers to measure the amount of disturbance caused by a partner shifting or moving during the night.

This allows us to assess our mattresses against real-world interactions and consumer needs. We take this information and create solutions with improved performance, designing beds for minimised disturbance and improved rest.

What do we measure?

Support systems

We test our support technology to ensure it promotes correct spinal alignment. In addition, we ensure our comfort layers, construction methods and designs work in harmony with our coils to offer correct support.

Sealy Rollator test

Our rollator barrel moves across a mattress 100,000 times in a single test. Weighing 110kg, it helps us to understand the impact of a person shifting and moving on a mattress. Additional fatiguing occurs with the hexagonal shape.

Once the test is complete, we measure changes in the structure and height of the mattress. In order to pass, the mattress must meet certain criteria so that we know it can withstand 10 years of use.

Sealy Spinal alignment manikins

Sealy mattresses are designed and built to specific criteria. We know from our research with orthopaedic surgeons that the best sleeping posture is the same as when we are standing upright.

We use SAMs, spinal alignment manikins, to simulate the way a human body interacts with a mattress. We measure the angles of their bodies as they lie down and assess the mattress against strict support requirements.

Sealy Robot seated test

One of our robots is specially designed to sit on the edge of a mattress and ‘hop into bed’. It slides across the surface of the mattress the same way most people do at home, applying constant pressure.

This process is repeated 5,000 times before we check for any changes in height or feel and assess internal components. It allows us to understand how the mattress will perform in the home for a decade of typical use.

What do we measure?

Quality and durability

We conduct testing on every component and material that goes into a mattress, including panel fabrics, handles, comfort layers, edge supports and springs.

Sealy Foam firmness test

We measure the performance of our foams in a number of tests to get an understanding of their firmness and overall quality.

We do this to ensure that our foams offer the right amount of comfort and durability. We also check for any foreign additives in the foam that could compromise its integrity, striving for material consistency.

Sealy Tumble pilling test

One of our fabric tests involves taking samples and running them in a cork drum for 90 minutes. The drum creates surface fussing and rubbing. 

We assess the samples afterwards for pilling or tears. The textiles we use need to withstand expected stresses during manufacturing, moving, and years of use in the home without compromising on quality.

Sealy Pilling test

This machine runs for 10,000 cycles, repeatedly rubbing a fabric sample across an abrasive surface. It is designed to simulate years of wear and tear.

Once the test is complete, we check for any ripping, pilling or deterioration. We do this to ensure that our panel fabrics are smooth and pristine for the full life of the mattress, whether it is at home or on the shop floor.

Mattress Selector

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Inside The Advantage

Comfort

Comfort Layers

A blend of high quality fibres and ultra soft foam offers a great level of conformance to the back and hip area.

LiftRight ® Handles

Intelligently designed handles are placed to make moving your mattress easier.

Inside The Advantage

Support

PostureTech®

The patented Titanium coils provides vital support for your back, senses and responds with correct level of support while you sleep.

EdgeGuard®

A firm polyurethane insert provides an average of 10% more sleeping surface and a firm seating edge of the mattress.

DuraFlex® Foundation

Made with Titanium alloy steel modules disperse shocks and stresses on the mattress to ensure long-lasting, performance and extended comfort life.

Backed by scientific research, this intuitive three-stage coil system provides the balance you need for a deeper, more luxurious rest. The Synerflex surface reacts to your contours, allowing maximum pressure relief, while the inner coil senses your weight and responds. The core of the coil provides deep down support to help maintain your body’s natural alignment and assist in ensuring a deep, restorative sleep.

INSIDE THE ELEVATE

Comfort

ComfortCore® Premium

The concentrated layer of quality foam conforms to the lower part of the back, designed to relieve pressure where it’s needed most.

SmarTex® with IceTouch™

Exclusive fabrics that wicks away moisture and helps to regulate the sleep surface temperature is needed throughout the night.

INSIDE THE ELEVATE

Support

AlignSUPPORT®

The latest state-of-the-art technology, AlignSUPPORT® system is designed to sense your weight and responds with the support needed to help maintain your body’s natural alignment.  

  • 6% improvement in deep down support.
  • 75% reduction in lateral movement.
  • 18% reduction in motion transfer.

UniCased® XT

A broad profile edge support system that surrounds and locks into the support system for greater stability and edge-to-edge comfort for an uninterrupted sleep.

INSIDE THE PosturePremier

Support

PostureTech®

The patented Titanium coils provides vital support for your back, senses and responds with correct level of support while you sleep.

EdgeGuard®

A firm polyurethane insert provides an average of 10% more sleeping surface and a firm seating edge of the mattress.

DuraFlex® Foundation

Made with Titanium alloy steel modules disperse shocks and stresses on the mattress to ensure long-lasting, performance and extended comfort life.

Backed by scientific research, this intuitive three-stage coil system provides the balance you need for a deeper, more luxurious rest. The Synerflex surface reacts to your contours, allowing maximum pressure relief, while the inner coil senses your weight and responds. The core of the coil provides deep down support to help maintain your body’s natural alignment and assist in ensuring a deep, restorative sleep.

Inside The PosturePremier

Comfort

Comfort Layers

A blend of high quality fibres and ultra soft foam offers a great level of conformance to the back and hip area.

LiftRight ® Handles

Intelligently designed handles are placed to make moving your mattress easier.

INSIDE THE PostureLux

Comfort

ComfortCore®

A high density foam layer to mould and conform to the lower part of the back, where it’s needed most.

LiftRight ® Handles

Intelligently designed handles are placed to make moving your mattress easier.

INSIDE THE PostureLux

Support

PostureTech®

Designed with SensoryArm™ to detect the shape, weight and movement of your body while you sleep, then responds to provide correct spinal alignment.

Unikey®

Full perimeter edge support system that adds stability, provides a firm seating edge and extends the sleep surface for a better night’s sleep.

DuraFlex® Foundation

Made with Titanium alloy steel modules disperse shocks and stresses on the mattress to ensure long-lasting, performance and extended comfort life.

Backed by scientific research, this intuitive three-stage coil system provides the balance you need for a deeper, more luxurious rest. The Synerflex surface reacts to your contours, allowing maximum pressure relief, while the inner coil senses your weight and responds. The core of the coil provides deep down support to help maintain your body’s natural alignment and assist in ensuring a deep, restorative sleep.

INSIDE THE Enhance | Aspire

Comfort

ComfortCore® Premium

Step up to ComfortCore® Premium where memory foam offers a greater level of conformance to the lower part of the back, where it’s needed most.

SmarTex® with Ice-Touch™

A smart textile fabric treatment that responds only when it’s needed a disperse heat and moisture so you can sleep more comfortably.

INSIDE THE Enhance | Aspire

Support

SRx®

Backed by world-leading orthopaedic research, the SRxII® coil support system delivers initial conforming, support and deep down support for a more restful, recuperative sleep.

UniCased® XT

Reinforced edge support system wraps around the bed perimeter for exceptional stability and a faller sleep surface even at the outermost points. 

DuraFlex® Foundation

Made with Titanium alloy steel modules disperse shocks and stresses on the mattress to ensure long-lasting, performance and extended comfort life.

Backed by scientific research, this intuitive three-stage coil system provides the balance you need for a deeper, more luxurious rest. The Synerflex surface reacts to your contours, allowing maximum pressure relief, while the inner coil senses your weight and responds. The core of the coil provides deep down support to help maintain your body’s natural alignment and assist in ensuring a deep, restorative sleep.

INSIDE THE PALATIAL CREST

Comfort

ComfortCore® Plus

The centre third of the mattress is enhanced with the ComfortCore® Plus, a layer of gel-infused visco elastic to provide superior conformance and alignment to the lower back, where it’s needed most.

SmarTex® with Ice-Touch™

Fabrics that cools and regulates your sleep climate while maintaining a clean and hygienic sleep surface.

INSIDE THE PALATIAL CREST

Support

RestSUPPORT™

Responsive support technology coil system uniquely designed for three stages of support:-

  • 1st Stage —  the micro-conforming SynerFlex surface cradles every part of the body.
  • 2nd Stage — The upgraded Align Head design senses the body’s weight and responds with initial conforming support.
  • 3rd Stage — Provides an extra deep-down support the body needs.

UniCased® XT

Our innovative edge support encapsulates the spring system to enhance stability and help to reduce motion transfer.

DuraFlex® Foundation

Made with Titanium alloy steel modules disperse shocks and stresses on the mattress to ensure long-lasting, performance and extended comfort life.

Backed by scientific research, this intuitive three-stage coil system provides the balance you need for a deeper, more luxurious rest. The Synerflex surface reacts to your contours, allowing maximum pressure relief, while the inner coil senses your weight and responds. The core of the coil provides deep down support to help maintain your body’s natural alignment and assist in ensuring a deep, restorative sleep.

INSIDE THE EXQUISITE

Support

Backed by scientific research, this intuitive three-stage coil system provides the balance you need for a deeper, more luxurious rest. The Synerflex surface reacts to your contours, allowing maximum pressure relief, while the inner coil senses your weight and responds. The core of the coil provides deep down support to help maintain your body’s natural alignment and assist in ensuring a deep, restorative sleep.

RestSUPPORT™

Backed by scientific research, the intuitive support system delivers 17% more pressure relief while maintaining your body’s natural alignment. Uniquely designed for three stages of support:-

  • 1st Stage —  the micro-conforming SynerFlex surface cradles every part of the body.
  • 2nd Stage — The upgraded Align Head design senses the body’s weight and responds with initial conforming support.
  • 3rd Stage — The Posturepedic® innercore is designed to sense the load applied and provide the orthopaedically correct response.

UniCased® XT

Sealy’s most innovative edge support system, encases and locks into the support system for exceptional edge-to-edge stability, designed to provide undisturbed sleep.

INSIDE THE EXQUISITE

Comfort

Backed by scientific research, this intuitive three-stage coil system provides the balance you need for a deeper, more luxurious rest. The Synerflex surface reacts to your contours, allowing maximum pressure relief, while the inner coil senses your weight and responds. The core of the coil provides deep down support to help maintain your body’s natural alignment and assist in ensuring a deep, restorative sleep.

ComfortCore® Plus

A unique centre third layer to provide superior conformance and alignment to the lower back, where it’s needed most.

SmarTex® with IceTouch™

Fabrics that cools and regulates your sleep climate while maintaining a clean and hygienic sleep surface.