Looking to buy a new mattress? Be prepared for a rush of brands, materials, salesmen spewing marketing terminologies, certifications, and the multitude of purchasing options. It almost sounds intimidating, but it is actually a good thing. A mattress is an important quality of life purchase. With some research and even a modest budget, you can have comfort inaccessible even to kings of old. This ultimate mattress buying guide sets you up with all you need to know to make an informed and well-researched purchase.
Mattress Types — Foundation To Choosing A Mattress
Mattresses have been, and continue to be made with a variety of materials. Cotton, fur, and feathers have been used in mattresses. For the modern consumer though, the focus is more on newer materials and technologies that have proven definitely superior to the other methods. For our mattress buying guide, let’s start with the basics. Generally speaking, there are four major mattress types available for the modern consumer.
Best Mattress Types To Buy
1. Memory Foam
2. Latex Foam
3. Innerspring
4. Hybrid
Sometimes, popular mattress options may be condensed into two categories. The first of these two categories is Foam Mattresses, which include polyurethane foam, memory foam, and latex foam. The second category is Spring Mattresses, which include innerspring mattresses and hybrid mattresses containing innersprings. Hybrid mattresses may also be considered to include foam hybrids that don’t necessarily contain innersprings.
For our mattress buying guide 2018, we’re going to stick with the four categories we listed above. The market is large, and the number of available options is high enough to look into specific, rather than generic categorizations.
There are two lesser used mattress types, although they do serve their purpose. These are also known as Bladder Mattresses, mainly because the material forms a “bladder” that holds a fluid – usually water or air:
1. Airbed Mattress
2. Waterbed Mattress
Waterbeds were once the epitome of a “sexy mattress”, which is a complement that hardly ever comes the way of a mattress. Their heyday is long gone, though waterbeds continue to have a small set of admirers.
Airbeds or Adjustable Air Mattresses are slightly more common. They are rarely used as regular mattresses, but their mobility and ease of storage do offer some benefits for camping trips, or as a guest mattress in space-starved modern homes.
Memory Foam Mattress Guide
Memory foam mattresses have immensely increased in popularity over the last few years. On an average, memory foam mattresses have better consumer reviews, higher lifespan, and customer satisfaction over non-foam mattresses.
Memory foam mattresses are sometimes also called tempurpedic mattresses. This name is a nod to the brand Tempur-Pedic, which gained fame for its consumer-oriented memory foam mattresses. While the name continues to be used, there is a difference between memory foam and Tempur-Pedic mattresses.
Originally developed for NASA and brought to consumer market for mattresses in the ’90s, memory foam is also known as viscoelastic foam. This foam responds to heat and pressure, creating its unique property where it sinks beneath the sleeper, hugging them, and providing them with conforming support and relief.
Some highlights of memory foam mattresses are:
- Contouring and support that encourages proper spine alignment.
- Excellent pressure relief that helps alleviate existing pain, and can prevent the formation of new pain and pressure points.
- Excellent motion isolation.
- Can work with different base types, including adjustable beds.
- Resistant to dust, mites, and allergens.
Memory Foam Heat Retention
Memory foam mattresses are notorious for heat retention, causing sleep-hot problems. A large part of this is because of the contouring properties of memory foam, which responds to body heat. Unfortunately, memory foam by itself ends up trapping the heat rather than dissipating it, causing sleep-hot issues.
There are several effective steps a person can take to cool down their tempurpedic mattress. A fair part of this problem is also the conventional foam mattress construction, where a solid, polyfoam base is used as the support layer. Hybrid mattresses that used coils for the support or core layer, have better air circulation and do not generally suffer from memory foam’s sleep hot problems.
Best Mattress Brands For Memory Foam Mattresses
Here are a few brands you should look at when purchasing a memory foam mattress. Do note, while our mattress buying guide lists these brands, we encourage you to research other brands that meet your mattress and budget requirements.
- Tempur-Pedic
- Amerisleep
- GhostBed
- Nectar
- LinenSpa (excellent budget option)
How Much Should I Spend On A Memory Foam Mattress?
Given the variety and options available in the market, there is obviously no solid number on how much you should expect to spend. Your expenditure is largely dependent on your personal preference and your budget.
On an average, you should consider setting aside $1,000 for the purchase of a good quality queen-size memory foam mattress.
Checkout our guide for finding the best memory foam mattress, including the highest rated mattresses, and also great budget options you can buy for under $300.
Considerations When Buying A Latex Mattress
Latex mattresses, especially natural latex mattresses fair extremely well in most metrics, including support and longevity. However, given the limited supply of natural latex, all-natural latex mattresses can be fairly expensive. Latex foam can also be created artificially, and a fair number of latex mattresses employ a blend of natural and synthetic foam for their construction. There are green credentials at work, and latex mattresses, especially natural latex mattresses can be environmentally friendly. Some highlights of latex mattresses are:
- Great support and pressure relief for better spine alignment.
- Chemical-free processing for natural latex.
- Very little to no off-gassing.
- Fair bounce, more than memory foam, though not quite the same as innerspring.
- Good motion isolation.
- Increased breathability makes latex foam slightly more conducive for temperature neutrality.
Latex Mattress Construction
An important part of mattress construction is how the latex is processed, and this represents two processes, called Dunlop latex and Talalay Latex. Dunlop is the older, conventional method that creates conventional long-lasting latex, albeit with some impurities. These impurities also mean that the latex has inconsistent firmness, making the pure side firmer, while the impure side is a bit softer.
Talalay latex is produced through a relatively newer method and creates latex chunks that have cells and airways. These increase breathability of the latex, allowing it to avoid sleep-hot problems that may otherwise come with a mattress foam construction.
Synthetic latex is also created from similar processes, but rather than being derived from natural sources like rubber trees, it comes from petrochemicals. However, since natural latex cannot meet global demand, synthetic latex covers most of the global demand.
Best Mattress Brands For Latex Mattresses
Here are some brands that have gained fame thanks to their top rated mattresses. While you should look at these as part of your mattress buying research, by no means should you be limited to these options:
- Saatva – Zenhaven Mattresses
- Sleep on Latex
- Nest Bedding
- Plushbeds
How Much Should I Spend On A Latex Mattress?
A high quality natural latex mattress can be fairly expensive, largely due to the gap between supply and demand of natural latex. There is an option to limit yourself to a less expensive mattress that uses blended or synthetic latex foam, or utilizes latex only for its comfort layer. However, if you are in the market for a high-quality natural latex mattress with green credentials, be prepared to shell out somewhere near $1,800 for a queen-sized mattress.
Checkout our latex mattress buying guide to find the top rated mattress most suitable for your needs.
When Considering Innerspring Mattresses
Innersprings are mattresses America loves to hate. They are the conventional mattresses you will still find in most homes, and yet they have the lowest consumer approval rating amongst mattresses. In defense of innersprings — there have been several innovations recently that have made this type of mattress more competitive, even as it continues to lose market footing to foam mattresses.
Some important features of innerspring mattresses are:
- Breathable and sleep temperature neutral.
- Excellent bounce.
- Excellent edge support.
- Minimal off-gassing.
Innerspring Mattress Construction
Metal coils make the core/support layer for innerspring mattresses. There are different methods used for the arrangement of these coils, with pocketed springs gaining popularity in recent years. Pocketed springs (also known as Wrapped coils or Marshall coils) offer the bounciness and breathability of innerspring, while reducing motion transfer usually associated with this type of mattresses. Other popular methods of coil construction are Bonnell Coils, Continuous Coils, and Offset Coils.
Coil count and coil gauge are important factors when determining the quality of an innerspring mattress. As a rule of thumb, you want a higher coil count. Though there is a relationship between coil count and quality, the relationship is not direct. The higher you go on coil count, the less difference you feel. Often, coil counts make little difference once you go above 1000. Coil gauge represents the thickness of the wire used. Higher gauge means thinner wire and plushier mattress.
Popular Mattress Brands For Innersprings
- Sealy
- Serta
- Saatva
- Signature Sleep
How Much Should I Spend On An Innerspring Mattress?
Innerspring mattresses usually cost lower than comparable foam mattresses. There is a fair variety of innersprings available, and you can have a comfortable, good quality mattress for a good price. However, keeping general quality and comfort expectations in mind, you can expect a high-quality mattress to cost about $1,000 for a queen-size bed.
Checkout our innerspring mattress buying guide to find handpicked mattresses selected with best mattress reviews.
Is It Time To Replace Your Mattress?
Here are the telltale signs your mattress needs replacing:
Your Current Mattress Is Older Than Eight Years
How often should you replace your mattress and box spring？If your mattress has celebrated eight birthdays, you have to start thinking of throwing it a retirement party. There are way too many variables at play, including mattress type, material quality, care, and usage. A good quality natural latex mattress may last 20 years, while a poorer quality mattress may see degradation in just a year.
All mattresses degrade over time. Keep in mind, most warranties are relevant only for manufacturing defects and faster-than-normal degradation. They will not cover expected mattress deterioration with time. In that sense, even if your mattress has a 25-year warranty, it may not be worth much use in 10 years.
Surveys say most Americans expect their mattress to last 10 years, and we’re with you on that number. However, you are the best judge of your mattress, and if it is more than eight years and not as comfortable as you’d like, it is time to get a replacement.
You Don’t Sleep Comfortably Or Wake Up With Aches
Offering comfort and support is the top job of a mattress. If you find yourself waking up with aches or pains, or find yourself developing new pressure points, it’s time to consider saying goodbye to the mattress, regardless of its age.
Your Mattress Shows Sagging Or Deep Indentations
All mattresses are prone to some sort of sagging or deep indentations with their age. If your mattress has any of those, you’re in the right place reading our mattress buying guide. Indentations also develop at points that see higher concentrations or weight over time, and indeed, are very clear indications that the mattress is losing (or has lost) its ability to provide support.
You Want An Upgrade
This is the simplest of reasons — you want a new mattress. Maybe your body has changed, or you have a partner with a different sleep preference, a medical diagnosis (like sleep apnea) makes change preferable, or you just want a new mattress. Or you have more money now and would like to sleep on a more luxurious mattress against the original budget mattress. If you have a legitimate reason and the finances to afford a change of mattress, why not?
How To Choose A New Mattress
Choosing a new mattress also includes defining your requirements and expectations from the new mattress. In this section of our mattress buying guide, we’ll talk about some basic requirements, as well as resources to help you choose the right mattress.
Use Our Reviews And Lists to Your Advantage
Well, not to toot our own horn, but here at Sleepbuzzo, we have a good range of recommendations and reviews. We have taken care to include specific requirements, as well as general preferences and ideas for sleeping better. Apart from our own research, we also give weight to consumer reviews 2018 in recommending products and mattresses and keeping them relevant to consumer preferences and time frame.
Know Your Mattress Size
Mattresses are available in several sizes, including standard sizes and some non-standard sizes as well. You can also find “split” sizes, which can be useful for couples with very different mattress preferences. The split sizes are available as two mattresses that can be pushed together to form a standard size. Split Queen or King thus are a useful choice for couples.
Here’s a quick mattress size chart to give you an idea of sizes.
| Mattress Size | Dimensions (inches) |
| Twin | 39 X 74 |
| Twin XL | 39 X 80 |
| Full | 54 X 74 |
| Queen | 60 X 80 |
| King | 76 X 80 |
| California King | 72 X 84 |
Some salient points about mattress sizes:
- Twin mattress is best for a single adult or child.
- Full mattress is best for an adult or growing children.
- Queen mattress is the most popular choice, and great for couples.
- King mattress is great for couples who move around while sleeping or would like to share their bed with their children or pets.
- California King shaves four inches off the width of a King and adds them to its height.
What Mattress Thickness Is Best For Your Body Weight
A general average for mattress thickness is about 10 inches. Mattresses are available in several thickness/height options, with the popular range between 5-15 inches. The best mattress for heavier people is usually a thicker mattresses, while lighter individuals might find thinner mattresses more comfortable.
Again, there is a very thin line here, and mattresses generally tend to be more common towards the average 10-inch size. For example, when choosing a mattress for 400-pound person, you will see there is a fair variation in thickness, although higher thickness continues to be preferred. Similarly, best mattress for a lightweight person usually lies within the range of 8-10 inches.
Durability Of Your Mattress
As we said, most people prefer their mattresses last at least 10 years. Our mattress buying guide recommends you keep the expected durability of the mattress in mind when you commit to a purchase. Also remember, that any mattress will naturally degrade over time. While there are no hard numbers on how long a mattress lasts, statistically speaking, innersprings and hybrids have the lowest life expectancy, followed by polyfoam, memory foam, and finally, airbeds and latex mattresses.
Support And Pressure Points
A big part of the job description of a mattress is to provide excellent support for your body, as well as any pressure points. Ideally, the mattress should help align your spine. Some mattresses sink beneath heavier areas like the pelvis or shoulders, creating pressure points that will end up troubling you. Most mattresses start with great support and then degrade with time.
Innersprings and hybrids are more consistent with the level of support they offer through their lifetime. Memory foam and latex foam will gradually offer less support. Keep in mind, this is not an indication of the quality of support offered, but of consistency through the lifetime.
Motion Isolation
Movement on a mattress travels – a motion transfer that can be felt throughout the bed. For couples with different sleep patterns, this can be a troublesome trait. We want a mattress where the movement of one partner – whether getting in or out of bed or just moving – does not disturb the sleep of the other partner. Mattresses with high motion isolation make this possible.
Mattresses with softer, adapative comfort layers usually manage to localize motion, reducing motion transfer considerably. Generally speaking, memory foam works best for motion isolation, while innersprings fair worse. Airbeds and waterbeds can be quite terrible at motion isolation.
Firmness Of Your Mattress
Mattress firmness is usually rated on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is the firmest. While ILD ratings are also employed in some cases, the scale of 1-10 is generally the easiest for consumers to employ. Firmness also depends on factors like body weight and sleep position. For example, side sleepers generally prefer plush mattresses, while medium-firm is good for back sleepers. Stomach sleepers may choose medium-firm to firm depending on individual preferences.
On the note of weight, lightweight sleepers (up to 150 pounds) may prefer soft mattresses for conforming support, while heavy and overweight sleepers (above 230 pounds) will find firm, thick mattresses more comfortable.
Temperature Neutral Mattresses
Many people tend to sleep hot. This problem can become more visible if the mattress absorbs and retains heat rather than dissipating it. Sleeping hot can lead to uncomfortable sleeping, and waking up sweaty. Ventilation usually helps, but some mattresses tend to sleep hotter regardless.
Memory foam, for example, responds to body heat for its conforming ability, but also ends up trapping it. This causes the mattress to sleep hotter. Foam mattresses with solid support cores tend to sleep the warmest. Latex mattresses fare better, but ultimately have the same problem with solid support cores. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses usually fare better where temperature neutral mattresses are concerned.
Noise Your Mattress Makes
You probably don’t want your mattress to make sounds when you get up on your bed. It can be infuriating to have the mattress creak every time you move on the bed. For couples, the noisiness of a mattress can be quite troubling during sex. Airbeds, innersprings, and hybrids are generally noisier, while foams are practically silent. Also keep in mind the noise it takes to inflate an airbed.
Edge Support
Edge support is basically a measure of how well the mattress retains its shape when weight is put near its edge. For example, it would be generally preferable that the bed not sink every time you get up or into the bed. Many of us also sit on the edge of the mattress while wearing or removing our shoes/slippers. Typically, foam beds offer little or no edge support and you may find yourself sinking and slipping off. Hybrids and innersprings generally have better reinforcement on the edges and can fare better.
Odor Potential — Off-Gassing Mattresses
Typically, all new mattresses will give off a smell. This is often described as “chemical-like”, for lack of a better word. While the smell is quite harmless, it is fairly offensive and unpleasant. Most mattresses will see the smell dissipate in a few days, especially if they are in a well-ventilated room. Some models, however, will have the smell persist much longer. Depending on how well, you’re willing to deal with the off-gassing, reading mattress reviews can give you a good idea of what to expect.
Weight Of Your Mattress
Pretty much all mattresses are heavy and cumbersome to move. So choosing on the base of weight is more of a relative issue, rather than an absolute one. Latex mattresses and hybrids are generally on the heavier side, often weighing more than 100 pounds. By comparison, foam and innerspring mattresses weigh less.
Choosing A Mattress Based On Your Sleep Position
Your sleep position decides how well your mattress works for your specific needs. Whether you sleep on your back, stomach, or side can make a significant difference in the choice of your mattress. Our mattress buying guide has some suggestions you should consider.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Side sleepers place the largest pressure on their shoulders and hips. So it is only natural that the best mattress for side sleepers provides support for these pressure points. Since the pressure is concentrated in a relatively small area, it’s also important that the mattress not sink too much, thus trapping the sleeper. I for one, am no fan of having to dig myself out of a trench every morning.
Since pressure points have a smaller area, mattress types with excellent contouring are usually the best type of mattress for side sleepers. This property is best seen in foam mattresses, so a side sleeper should put some stock in memory foam or latex mattresses. Plush mattresses are great for the lightweight side sleeper. If you are on the heavier side (200+ pounds), look for a firmer option to provide better support.
Best Mattress For Back Sleepers
A medium or medium-firm mattress is usually the best bet for back sleepers. The best mattress for back sleepers will provide greater support to your lower back, ensuring that your spine remains aligned. As long as you have a mattress that provides this support, you can pick anything to match your personal preference.
Mattresses that are very firm will put greater stress on your back, while going the way of very soft and plush mattress considerably decreases support for your back.
Best Mattress For Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers tend to sleep better on mattresses that stop them from sinking deep. As this isn’t an ideal sleep position for your spine, a firmer mattress will keep your neck and hips in a better angle. Best mattress for stomach sleepers is firm, and prevents the pelvis from sinking into the mattress, especially if the sleeper is dealing with lower back pain.
Choosing A Mattress Based on Body Aches And Other Issues
Going just beyond regular comfort and feel, your personal requirements based on body issues and medical diagnosis also play a part in your mattress buying decision.
Mattress Buying Guide For A Sore Back
Backaches are prevalent enough to be the leading cause of disability worldwide. Choosing the right mattress can help greatly alleviate the problem. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when wondering how to choose a mattress for back pain:
- A medium-firm mattress (Contrary to conventional wisdom, a simple and firm surface is not a solution).
- A memory foam comfort layer to provide contouring support that helps in soothing or preventing pain.
- A favorable mattress topper in case you would like to adjust firmness or feel of your mattress.
Mattress Buying Guide For Arthritis, Hips Pain, And Lower Back
Arthritis is a condition that affects more than 350 million people globally. Closer home in the United States, nearly 54 million people or 23% of all adults suffer from arthritis. The numbers are projected to rise in the coming years. Along with aches and other troubles, a restful sleep is lost for those suffering from arthritis.
Choosing a right mattress can help make quality of sleep better for those suffering from arthritis, hips pain, and lower backache. Just any mattress won’t do. You’ll have to learn how to choose a mattress for back pain. Here are some qualities to look for in best mattresses for arthritis and hips pain:
- A contouring mattress that provides extra support for hips and shoulders.
- While a plush mattress may look desirable, it won’t provide adequate support. Look for a medium-firm mattress, possibly one with zoned support.
- Don’t pick something too firm! A firm mattress will not provide adequate support to the lower back and shoulders, and sleepers will wake up with aches.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Shoulder Pain
Shoulders and hips are areas that generally take most of the pressure when you’re lying on your bed. If you are a side sleeper facing shoulder pain, it is time to look for a plush mattress (if you are of average weight). Back sleepers facing a similar issue should look for a more contouring mattress — memory foam can be especially useful, though latex is a fair consideration as well.
Your pressure points need to have additional support, and memory foam’s cradling and conforming ability can be especially useful. For those currently sleeping on a firm mattress, you might want to move to something more plush.
Mattress Buying Guide For Acid Reflux Or Heartburn
If acid reflux is keeping you up at night, a thoughtful mattress choice might help you get a better sleep. An adjustable mattress (and an adjustable base) can be very helpful. Many adjustable bases have buttons that you can press to move your mattress height to a more favorable position. Sleeping with your upper body elevated can make sleeping more comfortable.
For side sleepers troubled with GERD, avoid sleeping on your right hand, and favor the left side. If you cannot elevate the bed or are obese, avoid sleeping on the back.
Best Mattress Buying Guide For Couples
Even if you are soulmates, it is perfectly normal for couples to have different sleep preferences. It is also possible that the partners weigh significantly different, thus ruling out one-size fits all approach. Here are some things for couples to consider:
Motion Isolation of The Mattress
You do not want to spoil your partner’s sleep every time you move, get in bed, or get out of bed. Having a mattress with high motion isolation lets you sleep comfortably without being disturbed by your partner’s movement. Plus, you can have kids or pets on the mattress without disturbing sleep.
Different Sleeping Preferences
When choosing the best mattress for couples with different sleep preferences, you will have to choose one that accounts for different styles. For example, if you prefer sleeping on your side, but your partner is a combination sleeper, you’ll need a mattress that is an excellent mix of plush as well as firm support.
Different Weights For The Couple
Couples with a remarkable difference in weight will need a mattress that can comfortably support both individuals, without forcing either to sink into or float above the mattress. The best mattress for couple with different weights should offer good motion isolation, allow convenience of movement, and most of all, be comfortable for both.
Bounce And Response From Mattress
Couples usually prefer their mattresses to be responsive and have some bounce. Most couples say that bounce makes sex, or just frolicking on the mattress more fun. Memory foam mattresses offer little by way of response or bounce. Latex foam fares slightly better, and innersprings offer the most bounce and responsiveness. Innersprings are not so good at motion isolation though, so if bounce is very important, you will have to consider a trade-off. A hybrid mattress with pocketed coils and foam comfort layers might just work, and for this particular scenario be the best mattress for couples.
Mattress Buying Guide For Older (Elderly) Adults
Mattresses for senior citizens need to be chosen based on their medical needs, keeping their physical limitations in mind. Many elderly citizens experience frequent or chronic pain in parts of their body like neck, shoulders, or hips. Even if there is no pain, this group continues to be at a higher risk, and therefore the mattress choice needs to be considerate of such issues.
Additionally, seniors generally prefer their mattress to sleep cool. Having an adjustable mattress is also a big plus. With all these conditions, it is usually a well-ventilated foam or hybrid mattress on an adjustable base that wins. A cheaper mattress may aggravate existing conditions like aches, so prefer quality and comfort.
Child Mattress Buying Guide
Considerations when buying mattress for a child remain largely the same as when buying mattresses for adults. Children, however, grow remarkably fast so there is always a chance that they will outgrow their mattress.
When buying mattress for a child, pay special attention to pressure relief, temperature neutrality, and composition. Many companies offer specialty beds for children, though you may find regular mattresses perform just as well.
Utilize sleep trials to find a bed that your child is comfortable on, try it yourself to ensure you’ve got the right choice.
Where To Buy A New Mattress?
It’s a whole new world and apart from a ton of choices in mattresses, you also get a fair number of choices in deciding where you purchase your mattress. Here are the options you have when purchasing a mattress:
Purchase A Mattress Online
Online purchases are increasingly popular and have enough volume that there are several companies that exclusively sell their mattresses online. Selling mattresses online helps companies reduce overhead costs, and they claim most of this is passed on to the customer.
For obvious reasons, it is difficult to judge how much of the cost-benefit is actually passed to the customer. However, it is fairly easy to see that mattresses sold online have a lower cost than comparable mattresses sold through conventional channels. With the existence and use of free-trial policies, the purchase generally carries a lower risk for the customer.
Many users feel that the best place to buy a mattress online are trusted and well-known portals like Amazon. Several companies also sell mattress directly through their websites, thus providing more options for purchase to the customer.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great deals, discounts, and prices. | Cannot experience the feel, or lay on the mattress prior to purchase. |
| Convenient, with easy access to professional and consumer reviews. | Can have a long wait time between ordering and delivery. |
| Delivered at your doorstep. | |
| Many options to choose from. |
Big Box Retailers
Retail chains like Costco, Walmart, and Target often carry a selection of mattresses. The ubiquity of these stores means that if you want to physically check a mattress before purchase, or finding yourself searching for the best place to buy a mattress near me, you will find easy access to these retailers.
Different options are available for these retailers. Some will allow you to go beyond their inventory, and order items online and pick them up in the store. Alternatively, they may also offer to deliver the mattress home at competitive rates. Or you might not find such a deal and have to transport the mattress yourself (or pay to transport it).
| Pros | Cons |
| Good deals are often available on big-ticket items. | May not have trained and knowledgeable salesmen experienced in mattresses. |
| Several available options. | Some stores require membership cards for big-ticket items. If you don’t frequent the store, the membership card is a poor investment. |
| You can try out the product before purchase. | Long lines, wait times, and parking troubles. You may also have some delay checking out the mattress quickly. |
| Since space can often be at a premium, the mattress section may end up cramped. |
Furniture And Department Stores
Furniture and department stores often carry a selection of mattresses. An advantage here is that you can try out the mattress. You may even find good deals to go along with your mattress, and some worthwhile discounts can make the purchase cost-effective.
| Pros | Cons |
| Good deals may be available on combination purchase of mattress and associated furniture or accessories. | Salesmen often lack specialized knowledge of the product. You may not find answers if you have specific questions. |
| Convenient if you intend to buy more accessories to go along your mattress. | The price can often reflect poor value. Discounts don’t kick in without extra purchases. |
| You can try the mattresses on display. | Limited options. |
| High-quality products usually available. |
Mattress Specialty Stores
Mattress specialty stores have a lot to offer, ranging from variety to high-quality. These are also the quintessential battlegrounds of price negotiation between buyer and salesperson. They also offer delivery and in-home assembly services for their products.
| Pros | Cons |
| They often have well-trained and knowledgeable salespersons who can answer your questions and offer good advice. | Your buying experience is entirely dependent on a salesperson. A bad representative might ruin the experience. |
| Room for price negotiation. | Prices are usually set higher. |
| Fairly large selection. | Constant attempts at upselling and overselling. |
Busting Common Mattress Myths
1. A Firm Mattress Is Best For Your Back
This myth is so often repeated, it has taken its own life as the truth. What you need is comfortable and healing sleep, which comes with a mattress good for your body type. A mattress must provide good support, and this depends on your sleep preferences and weight. If you weigh less than 130 pounds and sleep on your side, even a soft mattress can work for you. For those weighing higher than 230 pounds, a firm mattress provides better support.
2. Your New Mattress Should Be A Perfect Fit Right From The Start
Mattresses and you don’t have love at first sight. In fact, if you are changing mattresses after a long time, or are shifting to a new type, you may actually experience discomfort for the first few days. There is often a break-in period while you adjust to your mattress, and vice versa.
3. Flip Your Mattress Regularly
Most modern mattresses are one-sided and flipping them will turn out to be counterproductive. Sleeping on the support layer rather than the comfort layer won’t do you or your mattress any good. However, you should periodically rotate your mattress, especially for the first two months so you can break into the new mattress.
4. Longer Warranty Means Longer Lifespan
Mattresses often offer 25 years or even lifetime warranties. Mattresses degrade naturally, and most of them will not be comfortable beyond 10 years. Warranties generally cover against manufacturing defects or faster-than-average deterioration.
5. Expensive Mattresses Are Better
A higher cost does not necessarily equal higher quality. In many cases, it can simply be an exercise in vanity. Keep your eyes on features and quality offered, and see if comparable value is available in other, lower cost mattresses as well.
6. Gel Foam Makes Mattresses Sleep Cooler
Gel foam is not a magic solution to memory foam’s sleep hot problems. Gel foams can lower the temperature of a mattress slightly, but additional changes in construction and ventilation may be needed to truly cool a mattress. Gel beads won’t do much of cooling by themselves.
7. Best Mattresses Accommodate Everyone
There is no mattress that will be suitable for all body types, weights, and preferred sleep positions. While you may find average setup options that may be acceptable to most sleep preferences, there is no such thing as a universally comfortable mattress.
Buy Mattress Like A Pro With Our Mattress Buying Guide
As you have well discovered in our ultimate mattress buying guide, there are several factors to consider when you buy a mattress. The biggest factor by far is your personal comfort, and that should be on top of your list. Even a top rated mattress may not turn out to be fit for your taste. However, using mattress reviews, you can comfortably weed out the extras and focus on factors that you would like in your mattress.