You spend roughly one-third of your life on a mattress, assuming you get the suggested 7 to 8 hours of sleep. So it’s important to discover a terrific mattress– one that effectively supports your spine while also providing the pressure relief that feels most comfortable to you.
But buying a mattress isn’t so easy. Nearly every mattress touts that it’s the best or that it’s the most comfy. And every mattress, on the outside, looks basically the exact same– a huge rectangle, hiding the materials inside that might (or might not) support those claims. What’s more, just because a mattress is best (or soft or firm) for one person, doesn’t suggest it’s the same for another. You need to push the mattress to truly know whether it’s right for you. With hundreds of mattresses for sale, how do you know where to start?
How to Select a Mattress
Most importantly, your spinal column remains lined up when you rest. Your sleep position, body type and personal preferences for the feel and products will all play a role in identifying which mattress is finest suited for your needs. You also wish to consider cost, convenience, resilience and any sleep issues– i.e., whether you’re a hot sleeper, have back pain or get awakened by your sleeping partner.
Types of Mattresses
Memory foam and innerspring beds are the most popular types, however additional building and constructions are becoming more common to provide consumers a variety. Within each mattress type, you can still discover a wide variety of firmness levels and cost points.
1. Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses use the best pressure relief since they conform to your body and take weight off pressure points. Users describe resting on foam beds as feeling like they’re being cradled. These mattresses are specifically perfect for side sleepers or anybody with back pain since they assist promote proper spine positioning by putting less tension on your shoulders and hips. They also assist with movement isolation, so you’re less most likely to feel your sleeping partner move.
There are typically multiple layers with firmer foam on the bottom for durability and assistance and softer foam on top for comfort. A downside to memory foam is that it can trap in heat more easily, though numerous brands now provide built-in cooling functions to prevent overheating.
2. Latex
Latex mattresses feel somewhat similar to memory foam, but it’s more resilient (i.e. bouncy) and feels firmer with less sinking in. Natural latex is made from rubber trees and may be utilized in natural mattresses, making it an ideal option for eco-conscious buyers. It tends to be more pricey than memory foam.
There are 2 popular kinds of latex you’ll observe as you store: Dunlop, which is typically denser, and Talalay, which may feel softer. Though in reality, you may not even be able to feel the distinction between these two.
3. Innerspring
These beds are made of steel coils, making them firmer and offering more bounce. Innerspring mattresses feel familiar to many consumers, especially compared to the boxed mattresses that have actually become popular in recent years. They’re preferable for back and stomach sleepers, who gain from a firmer surface area to keep the spinal column aligned.
Think about both coil gauge and coil count when you store. Coil gauge tells you how thick the steel is; it generally ranges from 12-15 and a lower number means it’s firmer and more long lasting. Coil count tells you the number of coils in the mattress; a quality design will have at least 400 coils in a Queen size. You can also think about pocketed coils, which suggests each spring is individually wrapped (instead of webbed together) for targeted assistance.
4. Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses use a mix of memory foam or latex and coils so you don’t have to pick just one. These have actually ended up being more popular over the last few years, specifically for online mattress brand names. Typically, coils sit on the bottom for support, while foam rests on top for pressure relief. Numerous hybrids on the market– specifically from bed-in-a-box brand names– feel really comparable to foam beds when you rest. Simply note that they’re going to be more costly and heavier to set up than their all-foam alternatives.
5. Adjustable
While these are less typical, adjustable mattresses have air chambers that permit you to control the mattresses firmness level. They’re specifically useful for couples that have different choices. They’re pricey, though users consistently inform us their purchase was well worth the splurge thanks to the quality sleep they accomplish.
Should You Get a Cheap Mattress
Cheap mattresses (under $500 for a queen) tend to be pretty basic. They’re usually all-foam (or foam-forward hybrid) mattresses that have fewer layers, are made of less-dense foams, and offer fewer bells and whistles (like free trial periods) compared to more costly options.
Mattress Firmness Levels
Mattresses are most frequently described as soft, medium, medium-firm or firm. Medium to medium-firm beds are the most popular since they suit a wide range of needs. When picking out your firmness level, it’s important to consider both your sleep position and physique.
1. Sleep Position
Side Sleepers
This is the most typically preferred position and the one that doctors normally recommend to prevent pain in the back. The best mattresses for side sleepers have soft to medium firmness levels because they assist keep your spinal column aligned. If it’s too firm, you might wind up putting too much pressure on your hips and shoulders.
Stomach Sleepers
A firmer mattress is more suitable for anyone who likes to sleep on their stomach: You don’t desire your pressure indicate sink in too far in this position.
Back Sleepers
Medium firmness is perfect in this case. If your mattress is too soft or too firm in this position, you run the risk of not having correct positioning.
Combination Sleepers
Likewise go with medium firmness to best support your various positions if you move around in the evening.
2. Body Type
Heavier Body Weights
A firmer mattress is best for much heavier bodies due to the fact that more weight implies more pressure on the bed. Too much pressure can cause the bed to sink in and threaten spine alignment, resulting in pain in the back. Some top-performing mattress brand names likewise make models created particularly for people over 250 pounds.
Lightweight Sleepers
Smaller sized frames are much better suited with a softer mattress since they aren’t putting as much pressure on the bed. If the bed is too firm, it will not sink in enough to eliminate pressure on the joints.
Factor in both your sleep position and weight when picking your best firmness level. For instance, if you’re a light-weight stomach sleeper, you can choose a medium firmness to compromise between soft and firm.
Mattress Pricing
Our assessments and feedback from exclusive consumer research study show that an excellent mattress usually costs between $1,000-$ 2,000 for Queen size. That being said, you can still find an excellent mattress for under $500 if you’re on a budget, and there are plenty of choices over $2,000 that are well worth the splurge.
Pricing is mostly identified by the materials and layers in a mattress. A two-layer foam mattress is going to cost significantly less than a seven-layer hybrid, and an organic model is going to cost more than one made of polyurethane foam. Still, if you use our shopping suggestions then you can determine exactly what you require without needing to spend beyond your means.
Something to note: mattress prices have increased considerably in recent years due to industry-wide supply chain issues. We’re seeing popular brands frequently increasing their costs, and we expect this trend will continue over the course of the next numerous months. That being said, you can regularly discover discount rates when you go shopping– so prevent paying full rate.
When to Replace Your Mattress
While there’s no set expiration date on your bed, you ought to expect a great mattress to last a minimum of 8-10 years. But instead of following a timeline, focus on indication that it’s time to replace your mattress– like swellings or indents– and whether your mattress is triggering difficulty sleeping or pain upon waking.
If you require a quick fix or want to upgrade the feel of your bed, a mattress topper is the most convenient way to include a layer of comfort and assistance. It also costs less than buying an entirely brand-new mattress.
Also remember: The much better you look after your mattress, the longer it’ll last.
Mattress Sizes
Mattresses come in a couple of sizes. Generally speaking, if you sleep with a partner, the larger the mattress size, the more comfortable you’ll feel. Nevertheless, note that a larger mattress will require larger-sized bedding (consisting of sheets and pillows)– and the extra costs connected with it as you keep your bed going forward. Basic mattress sizes consist of:
- King, 76×80 inches
- California King, 72×84 inches
- Queen, 60×80 inches
- Full (or double), 53×75 inches
- Twin, 38×75 inches
- Twin XL, 38×80 inches
Mattress Trial Period
It’s hard to know whether your mattress is a good fit without really sleeping on it, and the last thing you want is to be stuck with a new mattress that you do not like. The good news is that many business offer an any-reason return period for a minimum of 100 nights. Simply examine whether there are any concealed return costs and how you tackle making the go back to avoid a headache in the future. Many business will arrange for complimentary pick-up then donate or recycle your mattress, then you’ll get a full refund.
Unlike trial durations and return policies where you can reimburse for any reason, service warranties cover flaws from the manufacturer over a longer period. However, it can be difficult to prove that damages like sagging, indents and regular wear and tear are a flaw. We advise focusing on the return policies rather than service warranties, as they can frequently be deceiving when you shop.
Our Top Picks
Just because you may discover raves on social media for a specific mattress brand does not mean it’s always a great mattress for you. What’s more, a brand’s most costly design isn’t constantly its finest offering, objectively speaking; sometimes you’ll get more for your money with an entry-level or mid-price style.
