Detailed review protocol
How We Evaluate Company Policies
How we verify trials, returns, shipping, warranties, fees, and other terms that can change the practical risk of buying a sleep product.
Why policies affect the recommendation
A mattress is difficult to judge in a showroom and expensive to return. Trial rules, return costs, pickup requirements, warranty exclusions, and delivery terms can materially change the risk of buying it.
Terms included in Buying Protection
Buying Protection uses the seller's current trial, return, shipping, and warranty terms. Each review shows the date of the policy record and the provisions that affect the decision: minimum trial periods, return or exchange limits, pickup or donation requirements, non-refundable fees, indentation thresholds, prorated coverage, and geographic restrictions.
How Buying Protection is scored
Buying Protection contributes 4% of the overall mattress rating.
| Component | Weight within Buying Protection |
|---|---|
| Trial and practical return protection | 40% |
| Warranty substance | 30% |
| Shipping, return logistics, and non-refundable costs | 20% |
| Clarity and consistency of terms | 10% |
Models governed by the same terms use the same policy inputs and score. A model-level difference applies when its warranty, return eligibility, retailer, clearance status, or another purchase term materially changes the buyer's protection.
Current price, advertised discount, and deal confidence do not enter this score. Deal Truth presents dated price history separately.
Buying Protection score guide
The review publishes the trial, return cost, warranty, shipping obligations, and important caveats so readers can inspect the terms behind the result.
| Score | Performance level | What the evidence usually shows |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5–10 | Exceptional | Practical no-cost returns, strong warranty substance, and unusually clear obligations |
| 9.0–9.4 | Excellent | Very buyer-friendly protection with only minor restrictions |
| 8.0–8.9 | Strong | Useful trial and warranty protection with manageable fees or exclusions |
| 7.0–7.9 | Good | Adequate protection with a meaningful restriction or logistical burden |
| 6.0–6.9 | Mixed | Material fees, shorter protection, or unclear obligations increase buyer risk |
| 5.0–5.9 | Weak | Restrictive returns or limited protection make a mismatch expensive |
| Below 5.0 | Poor | Severe restrictions, inconsistent terms, or unusually high buyer risk |