Replacing your old mattress with a new one can be exhausting. There might be several reasons why you want to buy a new mattress. Is it back pain or neck pain? Are you feeling like you are sleeping on a rock? Is it too hot? Are you developing bedsores? Or is it just that your matter is merely old and you are looking to replace it? There can be any reason why you want to buy a new mattress. But now, when you are already here, why not put some research into it before deciding on which mattress to buy.
You might be thinking about why one needs research when buying a mattress. Well, its answer relies on all the questions that we asked above. There is a whole lot of research and science that goes into the construction of mattresses. A quality mattress helps us get a good night’s sleep. But since there are a variety of top mattresses available, deciding which one you want can give you cerebral pain.
This is the reason why we have created this post. In this ultimate buying guide, we are going to detail everything you need to know about choosing the right mattress. We have put in a lot of research and effort into creating this post to help you make an informed decision.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Before we start, let’s bust some mattress myths
- Firmness reflects quality: Basically, you could end up with an extremely firm mattress that doesn’t offer enough support or contour to your body shape, which might cause pressure points. So, you need to understand that the ‘firmness’ of a mattress is just a personal preference
- A higher price tag means a better-quality mattress: It is not actually true. The price of the mattress doesn’t have anything to do with the quality of the mattress. It is all about what your body feels
- A nicer-looking mattress means a better-quality mattress: Two similar-feeling and looking mattresses could be drastically different in terms of quality
Tips for Choosing the Right Mattress
With so many mattress options available, it can be quite overwhelming for the shoppers to decide which one to go with. This is especially true if you are prescribed to buy a new mattress because of health reasons. Choosing a right or wrong mattress when you have neck pain or back pain can make the difference between spending the day in pain or feeling good.
But don’t worry! We have got you covered. As overwhelming as it sounds, choosing a mattress is all about your personal preferences and what your needs are. So, here are some tips for you to consider when choosing a mattress for your bedroom.
#1 Learn about different types of mattresses
First things first, you need to educate yourself about what are the different types of mattresses available and what they are made of. With so many variations of mattress types, it can be a hard choice to make. We have broken down the types of mattresses available to make your research and decision-making a little easy.
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Memory Foam:
You definitely must have heard about memory foam mattresses. As the name suggests, it is manufactured using memory foam. The reason why memory foam mattresses are so popular is that they offer great support, body contouring, and pressure relief. Memory foam was first used by NASA and garnered a bad rep because it was too hot. However, over the years, there have been advances in the memory foam mattress technology that comes with superior cooling properties, ensuring that proper airflow is maintained when a user sleeps. With that said, a memory foam mattress is best for those sleepers who want support, pressure relief, contour, body shaping, and a great hug. Lately, mattress brands have started developing their own versions of memory foam that combines a variety of materials.
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Latex Mattresses:
Latex mattresses are manufactured exclusively from latex foam. This type of mattress boasts excellent cooling properties and is known for its bounce, comfort, and great responsiveness. A latex mattress is best for sleepers who want better airflow, cooling, bounce, and responsiveness. It is somewhat similar to memory foam, but it doesn’t give you that ‘hug’ feel when you are seeping.
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Innerspring Mattresses:
Innerspring, also known as coil mattress, contains one or more layers of spring coils to provide support and comfort. The coil springs are essentially made of steel that gives the mattress the bounce and support. Innerspring mattresses are known for their superior edge support. Unlike memory foam and latex, with an innerspring mattress, you won’t feel like you are sinking in. More springs mean more support and comfort. It is a good mattress that provides great cooling and bounce.
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Hybrid Mattress:
Hybrid mattresses are made from a combination of polyurethane foam, memory foam, and latex, among other materials. These mattresses are designed with the aim of providing a mix of support and comfort while minimizing certain cons. It combines the benefits like great responsiveness, cooling, and bounce of latex, support and pressure relief of memory foam, and the firmness of innerspring. With that said, hybrid mattresses are ideal for sleepers who want the best when it comes to sleeping. However, it is the most expensive of all mattresses.
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Air Mattresses:
Last but not least, air mattresses are also a good option for those who want the desired firmness level. It uses two separate air chambers for accommodating sleepers with different sleep preferences. This type of mattress can support your spine well enough.
#2 Determine your budget
Now that you are aware of the different types of mattresses available on the market, it is time to determine your budget. The budget will vary from individual to individual. A few years back, you had the only option of visiting a physical storefront or a brand showroom, where you ended up paying more for even a mediocre mattress.
However, with the whole world getting digitized, the online mattress industry is quite booming, giving shoppers the opportunity to buy their favorite products at reasonable rates. Ideally, a mattress can range from a mere $500 to a whopping $3000. Here is what you need to know when setting your mattress budget:
- Pay for quality: Buy a mattress keeping in that you will be using it for at least 8-10 years before you replace it. So, considering that you are buying the mattress for the long run, a $1000 starting budget would be great. (see the math here $1000 mattress for 10 years = $0.27/day). But don’t compromise with the quality.
- Don’t go ultra-cheap: While the price isn’t a clear indicator of quality, you must not go ultra-cheap just to get with it. A low-priced model could mean poor construction procedures and low-quality materials used. So, keep this thing in mind.
This will help you determine your budget.
#3 Visit stores to test out the mattress
The best way to determine whether the mattress is a good pick for you is to go to the store and test the mattress yourself. Mattress stores allow the customers to test the mattresses put on display so that they can make the right decision. You can do the same. It will only take a maximum of 10 minutes to test a mattress and decide whether it is good or bad. All you have to do is simply lie on the mattress and feel it. If you like it, you can buy it from the store itself or buy it online if it is cheaper there.
#4 Always check the firmness
The firmness of a mattress is defined as how hard or soft a mattress feels. You need to understand that firm mattresses aren’t always the best. The firmness of your preference will depend on your body type, size, weight, and height. To goal is to find a mattress that keeps your spine in proper alignment, no matter in what position you sleep. The firmness will differ from person to person. If you feel like that this particular mattress isn’t creating any pressure points on your body, then you should go with it.
#5 Thickness of the mattress
Always check the thickness of the mattress. The ideal thickness to go with is 10 inches. However, again, it will depend on the user on what he/she prefers and what they are comfortable with.
Conclusion
That’s it! This is our complete guide to choosing the right mattress. It is always important to keep in mind you are buying a mattress for long-term use. So, you would want it to remain comfortable even after years of use.
