What Are The Tips For Buying A Mattress?

The health of our bodies and minds depends on getting enough sleep, and the quality of our mattresses is a major factor in that. The market has a plethora of mattresses to choose from, making it difficult to zero in on the best one. Each mattress material, from memory foam to innerspring to latex to hybrid, has its own set of pros and cons. How can you choose the best mattress for your requirements among the plethora now available? The key to a good night's sleep is a comfortable mattress, and we'll go over the best practises for purchasing one in this guide.

Prioritising your own sleep demands and preferences should be your top priority while shopping for a mattress. Do you favour a more hard or a more supple landing spot? Do you need additional cushioning because of a medical condition or back problems? If you know exactly what you need from a mattress, you can eliminate the others and zero in on the ones that are a good fit. If you and your partner share a bed, including them in the decision-making process is very important. It's important to choose a mattress that works for both people because what one person likes could not be what the other prefers.

Once you have a firm grasp on your personal tastes, it's time to do some research on the various mattress options. Learning about the benefits of each type can help you make a well-informed decision. For instance, memory foam mattresses are highly regarded for their comfort and pressure relief because of their ability to mould to the sleeper's body while yet giving adequate support. Innerspring mattresses, on the other hand, are a popular option for individuals seeking a more classic sleeping experience due to its high levels of airflow and bounce. Hybrid mattresses combine the benefits of several materials to create a more well-rounded sleep experience, while latex mattresses are noted for their responsiveness and durability. Knowing the benefits and drawbacks of each can help you zero down on the best mattress for your specific situation.

Types Of Mattress 

While the market is still dominated by memory foam and innerspring mattresses, more and more innovative designs are entering the fray. Within each group of mattresses, there is still a wide range of options in terms of both firmness and price.

A Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are the most effective at relieving pressure because they conform to the sleeper's body and distribute their weight uniformly across the mattress. Users of foam mattresses often describe the sensation as being "cradled." Individuals who rest on their sides or who experience chronic back pain will benefit greatly from these mattresses due to the pressure they relieve on the shoulders and hips. In addition, they help isolate motion, so you won't be as bothered by your partner's shifting around in bed.

Firmer foam is typically placed towards the base for durability and support, while softer foam is placed higher for comfort. Memory foam's heat retention is an issue, however many manufacturers have addressed this with built-in cooling systems.

Latex

Latex mattresses are comparable in appearance and feel to memory foam mattresses, but they are stiffer and more resilient (or "bouncy"). Natural latex extracted from rubber plants can be used to create organic mattresses, which are a great choice for eco-conscious consumers. Compared to memory foam, the price is usually higher.

Dunlop latex is typically denser, while Talalay latex is typically softer, and both are easily distinguishable in stores. In practise, though, you might not be able to tell the two apart at all.

Innerspring

Steel coils give these mattresses extra support and spring. Due to familiarity, many customers prefer innerspring mattresses over the more cutting-edge boxed mattresses. Back and stomach sleepers especially benefit from the firmer surface because it helps to keep the spine in a neutral position while they rest.

When shopping, keep in mind the coil gauge and the number of coils. The thickness of the steel is indicated by the coil gauge, which is normally between 12 and 15 for high-quality, long-lasting steel. A quality Queen-sized mattress will have at least 400 coils, and the coil count will provide that information. Each spring in a pocketed coil mattress is separately wrapped (instead of webbed together) to provide more focused, customised support.

Hybrid

You may have the benefits of both memory foam and latex, as well as coils, with a hybrid mattress. In recent years, these have risen in popularity, notably among retailers of mattresses sold online. Supportive coils are often placed at the base, while pressure-reducing foam is placed on top. When you lie down on many hybrids available today, especially those made by bed-in-a-box companies, the experience is remarkably similar to sleeping on a foam mattress. Keep in mind that they will be more costly and cumbersome to assemble than their all-foam counterparts.

Adjustable

Adjustable mattresses, while not very common, allow you to customise the level of firmness to your liking by means of air chambers. They're perfect for couples with drastically different aesthetic preferences. Despite the high price tag, many of our clients have told us that the quality of their sleep has greatly improved as a result of using our products.

Choosing the Right Mattress 

When shopping for a bed, there is a lot of competing information. But here are the characteristics that really count, according to CR's experts: 

• Dimensions of a standard mattress. Think about the bedroom's dimensions and how many people will be using the bed. In addition to not fitting in a tiny bedroom, twin beds can be too confining for a couple. The most common mattress sizes are listed below, along with their width and length dimensions. Sizes available include: Twin (38x75 inches), Twin (38x80 inches), Full (54x75 inches), Queen (60x80 inches), and King (76x80 inches).
• Hardness of a mattress. Sixty percent of people polled by CR in January 2023 said that mattress firmness was the most important factor in their purchase decision. However, it is not easy to compare mattresses across companies because one brand's "soft" may be another brand's "extra firm." That's why we compare the firmness of every mattress to the standard of the mattress industry. That manner, you may evaluate the level of firmness offered by mattresses from various manufacturers. Take a look at our top picks for hard and soft mattresses to get started.
• Help with the mattress. You spend one-third of your day sleeping, therefore it's important that your mattress supports your spinal column. Our ratings may be sorted to show you the best mattresses for stomach sleepers, back sleepers, or side sleepers, depending on your prefered sleeping position.
• Durability. Mattresses that are built to last won't lose their shape or soften after only a few years. Eight to ten years of use is modelled in our durability test. Our ratings can be sorted so that you can find the longest lasting mattresses.
• Stability. If your mattress has a high stability rating, you won't be woken up by your partner's chucking and going to turn on the other side thanks to the motion isolation it provides. Our recommended mattresses for couples all provide excellent motion isolation. You may also sort our ratings to find the mattresses with the best durability. 
• Comfort. Everyone has their own ideal level of comfort. We asked CR members to rate the comfort of roughly 67,000 mattresses, because what feels great to one person may be terrible to another. We've done the research to find the most comfortable brands of foam and innerspring mattresses.
• Materials. Our top picks for mattresses without toxic chemicals or volatile organic compounds are great options if you have chemical sensitivities, allergies, or respiratory conditions. You can find additional information in our coverage on mattress chemical certifications.

Evaluating Mattresses

Visit a store or showroom to try out mattresses once you've narrowed down your options. Don't be frightened away by pushy salespeople. Send them away by waving your hand and explaining that you need some time to think about it. Then, compare how well each mattress meets the criteria outlined in this article.

• Seek pressure alleviation and back support. Pay special attention to your prefered sleeping position by spending at least 15 minutes in that position, as well as 5-10 minutes on your sides, back, and stomach. Make sure your back isn't too arched or sagging on the mattress. Make sure there is no pain when pressing on specific areas. (That's the hips, shoulders, knees, and arms for those who sleep on their sides; the shoulders, pelvis, and back of the head for those who prefer to sleep on their backs.)
• Check out how stable the edge is. You should roll over to the side of the bed. Do you fear that you might fall off? You need a new mattress if you, your partner, your children, or your pets are constantly pushed to the edge. If you like to sit on the edge of the bed when you relax, feel free to do so while shopping. If you keep falling off your mattress, it might be time to shop around. 
• Acquire wares with a companion. You should both feel secure and relaxed when you're in bed together. You can check the mattress's motion isolation by having two people evaluate it at the same time. When your companion shifts positions in the bed, do you feel jarred, or does your side stay put? You should get the biggest bed you can avail and that will fit in your room. The more space you have underneath the bed, more the comfortable it will be for both you and your guest.
• Negotiate. Consider whether or not the cost of the mattress you're considering is reasonable. The correct response is "yes,” but it never hurts to negotiate. Our 2022 study of nearly 4,000 members who bought a new mattress during the past year found that 68% of online hagglers and 59% of walk-in store hagglers were successful. An amazing $245 was saved on average.
• Learn from your free trial experience. Where you buy your mattress will usually determine how long you have to try it out. Return policies, such as the length of time a customer has to return a mattress for free or the cost to exchange it, vary depending on where the mattress was purchased.
• Remember the guarantee. The standard guarantee for a high-quality mattress is between 10 and 25 years. Typical wear and tear (such as body impressions less than an inch deep) is not covered, but flaws in production such major sagging or broken coils normally are. Additionally, the warranty's scope of protection may evolve over time. (The cost of shipment and repairs, for instance, will increase proportionally with the age of your mattress.) Before making a purchase, be sure to look at the product page on the manufacturer's or retailer's website and to ask questions if you have any.
• On the day of delivery, have the mattress checked. Check the mattress for stains and tears before accepting delivery. Make sure the mattress you want delivered with white glove service has a label stating that it is composed entirely of brand new components. As soon as you unroll your mattress from its packaging, you should check it for damage or other problems (such as edges that don't inflate properly) and get in touch with customer care if you find any.
• These days, you can test out just about any mattress you find online at a brick-and-mortar store. If you find one you like online but it's not in a store near you, seek for a lengthy trial period that will allow you to evaluate it in the comfort of your own home.

Conclusion

The quality of our mattresses is crucial for our health and well-being, and the market offers a wide range of options to choose from. Each material, from memory foam to innerspring, latex, and hybrid, has its own set of pros and cons. Prioritizing your own sleep demands and preferences is essential when shopping for a mattress. If you and your partner share a bed, it's important to choose a mattress that works for both people. Researching the various mattress options can help you make a well-informed decision.

Memory foam mattresses are known for their comfort and pressure relief, while innerspring mattresses are popular for their classic sleeping experience. Latex mattresses are stiffer and more resilient, while Dunlop latex is typically denser and Talalay latex is typically softer. Innerspring mattresses feature steel coils for extra support and spring, benefiting back and stomach sleepers. When shopping, keep in mind the coil gauge and the number of coils, which typically ranges from 12 to 15 for high-quality, long-lasting steel. Hybrid mattresses combine the benefits of both memory foam and latex, with supportive coils at the base and pressure-reducing foam on top.

Adjustable mattresses allow you to customize the level of firmness to your liking through air chambers, making them perfect for couples with different aesthetic preferences. Despite their high price tag, many customers have reported improved sleep quality due to using adjustable mattresses.

In conclusion, choosing the right mattress is crucial for a good night's sleep, and understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each type can help you make an informed decision. The dimensions of a standard mattress depend on the bedroom's dimensions and the number of people using the bed. The most common mattress sizes include Twin (38x75 inches), Twin (38x80 inches), Full (54x75 inches), Queen (60x80 inches), and King (76x80 inches). Firmness is a crucial factor in purchasing a mattress, with 60% of people polled by CR in January 2023 saying that mattress firmness was the most important factor in their purchase decision. To evaluate the firmness of every mattress, compare it to the standard of the mattress industry.

Supporting the spinal column is essential for a comfortable sleep, and ratings can be sorted to show the best mattresses for stomach sleepers, back sleepers, or side sleepers, depending on your preferred sleeping position. Durability is crucial, and mattresses built to last will not lose their shape or soften after only a few years. Stability is essential for motion isolation, and recommended mattresses for couples all provide excellent motion isolation.

Comfort is another important factor to consider. Research has shown that everyone has their own ideal level of comfort, and brands like foam and innerspring mattresses offer the most comfortable options. Materials without toxic chemicals or volatile organic compounds are great options for those with chemical sensitivities, allergies, or respiratory conditions.

When evaluating mattresses, visit a store or showroom to try out different options and compare their performance. Pay special attention to pressure alleviation and back support, and ensure your back isn't too arched or sagging. Check the stability of the edge, and consider purchasing with a companion to ensure both feel secure and relaxed.

Negotiate the cost of the mattress, as 68% of online hagglers and 59% of walk-in store hagglers were successful in saving an average of $245 on average. Learn from your free trial experience, as the length of time you have to try out the mattress depends on where you buy it. Remember the standard guarantee for a high-quality mattress, which is between 10 and 25 years.

On the day of delivery, have the mattress checked for stains and tears, and ensure the mattress is made entirely of brand new components. If you find a mattress you like online but not in a store near you, seek a lengthy trial period to evaluate it in the comfort of your own home.

Content Summary: 

• Each mattress material, from memory foam to innerspring to latex to hybrid, has its own set of pros and cons.
• How can you choose the best mattress for your requirements among the plethora now available?
• The key to a good night's sleep is a comfortable mattress, and we'll go over the best practises for purchasing one in this guide.
• Prioritising your own sleep demands and preferences should be your top priority while shopping for a mattress.
• If you know exactly what you need from a mattress, you can eliminate the others and zero in on the ones that are a good fit.
• Once you have a firm grasp on your personal tastes, it's time to do some research on the various mattress options.
• Learning about the benefits of each type can help you make a well-informed decision.
• Knowing the benefits and drawbacks of each can help you zero down on the best mattress for your specific situation.
• Memory foam mattresses are the most effective at relieving pressure because they conform to the sleeper's body and distribute their weight uniformly across the mattress.
• Users of foam mattresses often describe the sensation as being "cradled."
• Individuals who rest on their sides or who experience chronic back pain will benefit greatly from these mattresses due to the pressure they relieve on the shoulders and hips.
• Latex mattresses are comparable in appearance and feel to memory foam mattresses, but they are stiffer and more resilient (or "bouncy").
• Compared to memory foam, the price is usually higher.
• Steel coils give these mattresses extra support and spring.
• When shopping, keep in mind the coil gauge and the number of coils.
• A quality Queen-sized mattress will have at least 400 coils, and the coil count will provide that information.
• You may have the benefits of both memory foam and latex, as well as coils, with a hybrid mattress.
• Adjustable mattresses, while not very common, allow you to customise the level of firmness to your liking by means of air chambers.
• When shopping for a bed, there is a lot of competing information.
• But here are the characteristics that really count, according to CR's experts:
• Dimensions of a standard mattress.
• Think about the bedroom's dimensions and how many people will be using the bed.
• Hardness of a mattress.
• Sixty percent of people polled by CR in January 2023 said that mattress firmness was the most important factor in their purchase decision.
• That's why we compare the firmness of every mattress to the standard of the mattress industry.
• Visit a store or showroom to try out mattresses once you've narrowed down your options.
• Pay special attention to your prefered sleeping position by spending at least 15 minutes in that position, as well as 5-10 minutes on your sides, back, and stomach.
• You should roll over to the side of the bed.
• You need a new mattress if you, your partner, your children, or your pets are constantly pushed to the edge.
• If you like to sit on the edge of the bed when you relax, feel free to do so while shopping.
• If you keep falling off your mattress, it might be time to shop around.
• Consider whether or not the cost of the mattress you're considering is reasonable.
• Our 2022 study of nearly 4,000 members who bought a new mattress during the past year found that 68% of online hagglers and 59% of walk-in store hagglers were successful.
• Where you buy your mattress will usually determine how long you have to try it out.
• Return policies, such as the length of time a customer has to return a mattress for free or the cost to exchange it, vary depending on where the mattress was purchased.
• The standard guarantee for a high-quality mattress is between 10 and 25 years.
• Check the mattress for stains and tears before accepting delivery.
• These days, you can test out just about any mattress you find online at a brick-and-mortar store.