How We Test Mattresses, Pillows & Sleep Products

At Eat Clean, Train Clean, every review begins with a simple belief:

If we recommend a product to you, we must test it ourselves – thoroughly, honestly, and without shortcuts.

We are an independent husband-and-wife testing team that handles every product personally. No outsourced testers. No anonymous reviewers. No shortcuts.
Below is the exact process we use for every mattress, pillow, topper, and bedding product that appears on our site.

1. Unboxing & First Impressions

Every test starts the same way:

We unbox each product in our home, document the setup process, and record our first impressions.

During unboxing we evaluate:

  • Packaging quality

  • Expansion time (for mattresses)
  • Initial feel and firmness
  • Material quality (fabric, stitching, foam density)
  • Any noticeable odors or off-gassing

  • Ease of setup

We take our own photos of every step – never stock images.

2. Construction & Materials Inspection

After the product expands or settles, we examine it closely. We measure and evaluate:

  • Total height and layer thickness

  • Type and density of foams or fills
  • Stitching quality
  • Cover materials
  • Edge reinforcement

  • Type of coils (if applicable)

We verify claims from manufacturers against what we observe in person.

3. Firmness, Feel & Responsiveness Testing

To understand how a mattress or pillow feels in real use, we test:

  • Overall firmness (1–10 scale)

  • Hand-press feel
  • Sinkage versus support
  • Bounce and responsiveness
  • Ease of movement

  • Side, back, and stomach sleeper suitability

These tests help us determine who the product is best for – and who it is not.

4. Pressure Relief Testing

We evaluate pressure relief by lying on the mattress in various positions and observing how well it supports key body areas:

  • Shoulders

  • Hips
  • Lower back
  • Chest

  • Knees

We note pressure buildup, sinkage distribution, and overall comfort for each sleeping style.

5. Spine Alignment & Support

Healthy sleep requires a neutral spine.

We test for:

  • Side sleeper alignment

  • Back sleeper alignment

  • Stomach sleeper alignment

If a product causes the spine to bend or dip, we report it clearly.

6. Cooling Performance Testing

Temperature regulation is a major factor in sleep quality.

We measure:

  • Surface temperature before use

  • Surface temperature after 10 minutes of lying down
  • Heat retention in the core layers (when applicable)

  • Overall airflow and breathability

We use a simple but reliable IR thermometer to quantify results so recommendations are objective.

7. Motion Isolation Testing

For couples, motion transfer matters.

We test motion isolation using:

  • A “glass of water” test (classic)

  • Manual movement tests

  • Partner movement tests

We photograph and document shake levels and movement spread.

8. Edge Support Testing

We evaluate stability around the mattress edges by:

  • Sitting on all four edges

  • Measuring compression

  • Testing rollover support near the perimeter

Good edge support increases usable sleep surface area and overall durability.

9. Sleep Trial (1–3 Nights Minimum)

We sleep on every mattress and pillow for at least several nights to evaluate:

  • Real-world comfort

  • Temperature
  • Motion transfer
  • Support over time

  • Any aches, pains, or pressure spots

This is critical – many review sites skip real sleeping entirely.

We don’t.

10. Pros, Cons & Who It’s Best For

Every product has strengths and weaknesses.

We clearly outline:

  • Who the product is ideal for

  • Who should avoid it
  • The strongest features
  • The biggest drawbacks

  • How it compares to alternatives in its price range

No review is “all positive.”

We highlight the real trade-offs.

11. Return & Warranty Evaluation

If we return a product, we document:

  • The return process

  • Difficulty/ease
  • Packaging requirements
  • Pickup or drop-off

  • Refund timeline

This transparency helps our readers understand the real-world customer journey.

12. Original Photos, Real Data, Honest Recommendations

Everything you see on Eat Clean, Train Clean is:

  • Tested by us

  • Photographed by us
  • Measured by us

  • Slept on by us

We do not use AI-generated test results, stock images, or third-party summaries.

The results you see come directly from our own home – and our own experience.

13. No Sponsors. No Paid Reviews. No Influence.

We do not:

  • Accept payment for reviews

  • Accept payment for rankings
  • Guarantee positive reviews

  • Allow brands to edit or approve our content

If a product performs poorly, we say so.

If a product performs exceptionally, we explain why.

Our only loyalty is to the reader.

14. Our Promise to You

We test products the way people actually use them.

Honest.
Transparent.
Hands-on.
Human.

That’s our commitment – today and always.