Recently, my husband started noticing that his back felt sore when he awoke in the morning. He seemed to sleep more comfortably on hotel beds than he did at home. I, too, began to notice some aches and pains. Our mattress was at least 10 years old, so we reluctantly decided a new one was in order. Usually, when it comes to large purchases, we’re careful, patient shoppers. My husband has been known to research cars for weeks and take repeated test drives before settling down to some hard bargaining with a dealership. But mattresses are not quite as expensive as automobiles, and we wanted a new one — fast. A quick look on the Consumer Reports Web site revealed that comparison shopping for mattresses is difficult, because there is little standardization of features or terminology. What one brand calls “super plush” might just be “plush” at another retailer. And the range of prices is truly mind-boggling, from a few hundred dollars to thousands for “memory foam” mattresses, made of material that was designed to protect astronauts.
The Consumer Reports ratings — which are based on surveys of the magazine’s readers — gave good marks to several stores, including the Denver Mattress Company. There happens to be one in our town, so we opted to skip the usual in-depth research and head straight to the store. (Mattresses are resistant to online shopping; you really do have to try it out, in person, to make sure it’s not too firm, not too soft, but just right.) We vaguely recalled paying around $800 for our last queen-size mattress and box spring set, so we had that in mind as an informal budget. We plopped first onto a “memory foam” mattress, and I have to say it was extraordinarily comfortable, if a bit odd to feel the foam molding around my limbs. And yes, it feels silly lolling about on beds in public. But mattress shopping requires it. Still, even though we’d be using it nightly for years, its nearly $2,000 price tag seemed extravagant. (A floor model was available at a discount, but it lacked any sort of warranty.
And since we had not had any experience with memory foam, we opted not to take a chance.) We moved on to see if there were less-costly innerspring models that would work. We next tried the store’s Doctor’s Choice brand, which offered a queen-size “Euro top” model for about $600. It felt O.K. to me, but seemed too firm to my husband. So we moved up to the “Madison plush,” which is usually about $700, but was being offered at $100 off. Also, the salesman offered to throw in a free pillow. (One piece of advice that Consumer Reports offers is to always wait for sales when buying mattresses, because they are so common.) We tried it, and both liked it. And it could be delivered in two days. That clinched the deal. Forty-eight hours later, as promised, the mattress arrived (at a fee of $50, though some stores offer free delivery). It’s been more than a week, and we both agree we’re sleeping more soundly so far. Sometimes, it seems, buying in haste doesn’t necessarily require repenting at leisure.
Have you recently bought a mattress? What was your experience?The lowdown on crib mattresses Types of mattresses What to look for when buying Important safety notes What it's going to cost you The lowdown on crib mattressesA good mattress not only makes bedtime cozier – it supports your growing baby and keeps her safe. Consider cost, comfort, and durability, as your baby will probably sleep in a crib for up to 3 years.Browse dozens of cribs.Types of mattresses“Breathable” mattresses, made of materials that are supposed to allow a baby to breathe freely even if his or her face is pressed up against it, are getting more popular. Experts haven’t yet weighed in on their efficacy.What to look for when buyingDensity: You want high density so it’s firm enough to keep your baby safe while sleeping. Most foam mattresses don't list density on the packaging, but weight can be a good indicator. As for innerspring mattresses, manufacturers often equate the number of coils with firmness, but the gauge of the wire is just as important.
Lower gauge means thicker wire, which is stronger and therefore firmer. Look for a mattress with 135 or more coils and a gauge of 15.5 or lower.Weight: A typical foam mattress weighs about 7 to 8 pounds, although mattresses made of memory foam (an especially dense form of polyurethane) can weigh close to 20 pounds. Innerspring crib mattresses are heavier in general, weighing in at about 15 to 25 pounds. Keep in mind that you'll be hoisting up a side of the mattress, or lifting the whole thing, when changing your baby's sheet.Cleaning: Most traditional mattresses suggest spot-cleaning only. Some have removable covers that can be machine-washed. The innards of at least one crib mattress on the market can be hosed down in the tub once its washable cover is removed.Certification seals: Crib mattresses for sale in the United States must meet safety standards defined by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials. (The Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association does not test or certify crib mattresses.)
A manufacturer's claim that a product is organic can mean a variety of things, but look for an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification (a worldwide uniform certification), which assures you that certain flame retardants and heavy metals were not used to make the mattress.Important safety notesNo matter what mattress parents choose, they should continue to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe-sleep guidelines and put babies to sleep on their backs on a firm, bare surface.What it's going to cost youCrib mattresses start at about $40 and can range to more than $350. Organic mattresses start at about $80 and can reach $400. Download our illustrated guide to crib mattressesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics. /English/ages-stages/prenatal/decisions-to-make/Pages/Choosing-a-Crib.aspx [Accessed May 2016]Consumer Reports. Crib mattress buying guide. /cro/crib-mattresses/buying-guide.htm [Accessed May 2016]Consumer Reports. /cro/cribs/buying-guide.htm [Accessed May 2016]CPSC. Learn how to put your baby to sleep safely.