Whether you’re shopping in a store or trying out a mattress you purchased online, assess the comfort by asking yourself the following questions. (If you answer “yes” to all of them, chances are good that the mattress you’re sleeping on is, in fact, comfortable.)

Is it as firm or as soft as you’d like?

Even if you think you know the firmness level you’re looking for, we recommend keeping an open mind and trying a range. The only way to know what a mattress’ “firm” or “soft” description really means is to lie down on it. Similar to clothing sizes, with mattresses there are no standardizations for soft, medium, or firm across brands. In our own mattress tests, two staffers who had long insisted they were firm-mattress people realized they preferred mattresses labeled as medium. When you’re browsing online and reading reviews, keep in mind that firmness often means different things to different people. For example, although many user reviews describe the Casper Original as being too soft, there are those who consider it to be “too firm” or “just right.” If you’re shopping in a store for a specific brand you prefer, try the firmest version available, then go progressively softer until you hit the firmness level you like.

Does it cradle or cushion you the way you want it to?

If you like a mattress top to conform to your body, you’ll probably prefer a memory-foam mattress or a foam-forward hybrid. If you want to feel more held up (as opposed to enveloped) by the mattress, go for an innerspring. These can feel quite plush with a pillow top or Euro top and still let you move more freely. Many innerspring mattresses also have just enough foam in the upper layers to provide cushioning without dampening the effect of the coils too much. A mattress made of latex—a springier type of foam formulated from the sap of a rubber tree—can feel somewhere in between a memory-foam and an innerspring mattress.

If you like some bounce in your mattress, is it the right amount and the right kind?

Many of us grew up sleeping on an innerspring mattress, so we’re conditioned to like a bed with a little bit of bounce (or wish ours had more of it). You’ll find more bounce, obviously, in innerspring mattresses and innerspring-forward hybrids. But memory foam with latex layers or an all-latex mattress can counteract that sunk-in feeling, too, with an elasticky springiness that some people prefer to the traditional innerspring bounce. Both coils and latex may feel more comfortable if you shift positions a lot as you’re falling asleep or otherwise moving around in bed, alone or with a partner.

Does it keep you cool or warm enough?

If you sleep hot, you should probably avoid foam mattresses, which are notorious for trapping heat. Innerspring mattresses tend to be more breathable because body heat moves from the surface through the spaces in the coils and disperses out to the room. If you’re a hot sleeper but you prefer the feeling of foam, look for foam hybrids or innersprings quilted with a foam topper. Many foam mattresses tout materials designed to allow for varying levels of heat transfer, such as foam with air channels or gel, copper, or graphite infusions. But be aware that they usually cost more and won’t work for everyone, and the effects can be minimal. Mattresses made of latex sleep cooler and feel springier than those made of memory foam.

Is the edge sturdy enough for you?

If you like to sit on the edge of your bed, you’ll likely want a mattress with dedicated edge support. Innerspring mattresses are typically constructed with a high-density foam encasement or stiffer coils around the perimeter. Even though some people may prefer the feel of the foam encasement, it could soften slightly over time. If you sit on the side of your bed a lot, you may want to consider a mattress that uses stiffer coils around the edge, which will probably prove more durable. The edge support in foam-forward hybrids and foam mattresses typically depends on the density of the foam in the support layers. So you can’t assume a mattress will have good edge support without trying it out for yourself. The Leesa Sapira Hybrid, a pick in our guide to the best hybrid mattresses, has foam that is at least 4 pounds per cubic foot and thus offers strong edge support.

Will you and your partner both be able to sleep on it?

If you sleep with a partner yet your preferences differ—say, you prefer firm but your mate likes something plusher—you’ll need to find a compromise. Lean toward what’s most comfortable for the partner who has musculoskeletal issues (such as lower back pain), said Cleveland Clinic’s Santhosh Thomas. If neither of you has an issue on that front, you could choose the firmer option and (for a king-size bed) attempt to make one side softer with a twin-size mattress topper.

If you really can’t find a mattress that works for both people, you have a couple of other options. Adjustable air beds, such as those from Sleep Number, let couples inflate the mattress with air to whatever firmness they want. Some bedding stores that have direct relationships with factories offer this option for foam and innerspring mattresses, too.

Also, if you wake every time your partner rolls over—or your kids (or pets) hop into bed with you—you’ll probably want to look for a mattress with good motion isolation. Foam mattresses across all price ranges tend to limit the sensation of movement, but you can also find this quality in more expensive hybrid and innerspring mattresses. Mattresses with pocket coils (which are individually wrapped in fabric, as opposed to wired together as one unit) provide the best motion isolation (they’re also better at contouring and pressure relief than other types of springs).

Does it look and feel well made?

At first glance, all mattresses look pretty similar (just a fabric-covered box!). But once you know what to look for, narrow your search to models that may last longer than others. Lift and shift the mattress around to make sure it doesn’t feel light and flimsy. Inspect the cover, and confirm that it’s well stitched and feels sturdy. If it’s a foam or hybrid mattress, ask about the foam density, especially for the topmost layers. Most adults who weigh less than 200 pounds should look for at least 3 pounds per cubic foot of density in a memory-foam mattress. People who weigh more than 200 pounds would do better with at least 4 pounds per cubic foot.

If you’re trying out beds with non-memory-foam polyfoam and you weigh less than 200 pounds, you’re better off looking for something with a foam density of at least 1.8 pounds per cubic foot (such as the Tuft & Needle Original). If you’re heavier than 200 pounds, you’re probably better off looking at denser foam options in the range of 2 pounds per cubic foot or higher (for example, the top layer in the Tempur-Adapt has a foam density of 2½ pounds per cubic foot). If a brand doesn’t provide foam-density specs on its site, try to find out from a customer service rep online or a knowledgeable staff member at a store. If you prioritize durability, it’s worth seeking out a brand that’s transparent about materials.

If the mattress has springs in it, ask about the type and the gauge. Pocket coils are best for motion isolation and curve-conforming comfort. Support coils (those in the lower layer of the mattress) are typically more durable if they’re between 12 gauge and 15 gauge or so. Generally speaking, the lower the gauge, the thicker the coil and the firmer the feel, though you may find (and want) slightly higher gauges in softer mattresses. An innerspring mattress with more support coils is usually more durable than one with similar-quality coils but fewer of them. (This explains why a mattress that we consider a budget pick, typically has about half as many coils as those we consider upgrade picks.) Less expensive innersprings may achieve a firmer feel not by using thicker coils but by employing other methods, such as placing coils closer together.

What are the potential risks for body impressions?

All types of mattresses are prone to body impressions (imprints in spots that you routinely sleep on). For foam and hybrid mattresses, the cheaper and less dense the foam, and the heavier your weight, the higher the risk of depressions over time. For innerspring mattresses, the thicker the pillow or Euro top, the higher the imprint vulnerability. It’s hard to completely avoid body indentations if you want a plush-feeling mattress, but you can minimize the effect by rotating the mattress at least every six months and varying where you sleep on it. Quilting on the top of the mattress does help make indentations less noticeable, and the steel coils found in innerspring mattresses also offer additional support to prevent sagging, even if body impressions are bound to happen over time. Mattress makers have told us it’s hard to quilt through dense polyfoams (most we saw were in the range of 1.7 pounds per cubic foot).

Compared with memory foam, all-latex mattresses (such as our latex pick, the Zenhaven Latex) or innersprings topped with latex (like the Charles P. Rogers Estate SE, one of our innerspring picks) are more resistant to sagging and body impressions, regardless of a person’s weight. Even great components won’t guarantee the mattress will last that long (it’s also about how those components are put together), but they’ll decrease the risk of disappointment in the long run.

What is the return policy?

Most online mattresses come with a free trial period of about 100 days or so, if you buy it directly from the company. You might be required to try a mattress for 30 days before you can initiate a return, though. Third-party retailers, such as Amazon, department stores, and mattress stores, might have their own rules, whether you purchased the mattress online or in a brick-and-mortar store.

Is this really a deal?

This is a particularly relevant question that pertains especially to mattresses sold through third-party retailers. That’s because manufacturers provide a suggested retail price (SRP) for the mattress, but the final sale price is up to the retailer. Retailers sometimes mark up the price above the SRP only so they can slash it back down and claim they’re offering a deep discount. Check out the manufacturer’s or brand’s site for the mattress’ SRP before you buy, and use that to gauge whether a retailer is really offering a good deal.