If you're not sleeping as well as you once did, or you're waking up with aches and pains, it's probably time to replace your mattress. Actually choosing one from the numerous designs out there, however, is another matter. Will you go for firm or soft? Synthetic or wool filled? Pocket sprung or memory foam? Before you dash out and make a hasty purchase, read what the experts have to say. Adam Black, founder of Button & SprungJamie King, bed buyer at Fishpools Charlie Marshall, founder of Loaf The general consensus is that you should replace your mattress every seven to eight years. "Even if it doesn't show many outward signs of wear and tear, it may not be giving you the support and comfort you need to get a good night's sleep," says Jamie King. "A sagging area in the middle of your bed is a sure sign a new mattress is needed. Other indicators include lumps and any creaking noises coming from the mattress during the night." There are four main mattress types on the market, although others, such as gel mattresses, are also available.
Understand the terminology before you start shopping. Open-spring mattresses offer support from springs made from one long piece of steel wire. This is the most common mattress type and typically the most affordable choice, but it doesn't always offer the best support for daily use. Pocket-spring mattresses, which have springs individually encased inside fabric pockets, can be more supportive. The choice of filling around the springs inside these and open-spring designs — wool, synthetic or another material — will also make a difference in the support the mattress offers. Memory foam mattresses have no springs. They feel quite different from spring mattresses and mold to the shape of the body. Latex has a resilient feel and is good for allergy sufferers. It's naturally elastic, so it offers a good distribution of pressure along the body. Generally, the thicker the mattress, the better the support. Test a range of beds before making a decision. "It's really down to what's right for you," says Charlie Marshall.
"When hunting for your perfect mattress, settle in as you would at home, kick off your shoes and take a good book with you." Lie down for about 15 minutes, adopting your normal sleeping position. If you share a bed, make sure you're both there to try it. Sprung mattresses generally come in a choice of firm, medium, or soft support. "As a rule of thumb, the heavier you are, the firmer your mattress should be to balance out body weight," advises Adam Black."The lighter a person, the softer and more yielding a mattress should be." Be aware that firmness ratings differ from one manufacturer to another. A mattress that is either too hard or too soft can result in back pain, so take the time to find one that's right for you. "A simple way to gauge this is to place your hand under the small of your back — if there's a gap, then it suggests the mattress is too firm. If you struggle to get your hand underneath, it's probably too soft," King says. When it comes to a bad back, there's no single solution, as no two people are the same.
"While many 'orthopedic' mattresses do tend to be very firm, this doesn't necessarily mean that a hard mattress is right for you," King says. "Instead, look for a model that will offer support for your back as well as high levels of comfort." Buy the most comfortable mattress you can afford. As mattresses increase in price, they tend to have a higher spring count and better-quality fillings. The greater the number of springs and the more luxurious the fillings, the more the mattress will contour to your body, so the less interrupted and more comfortable your sleep should be. Arguably, a pocket-sprung mattress provides the most comfortable night's sleep. "In a pocket-sprung mattress, the springs are not linked together, allowing them to move individually and adjust effectively to the contours of your body," Black says. "They are made from higher-quality materials and can be purchased in different tensions to offer an appropriate level of support." Mattress fillings work in tandem with springs to create a balance of comfort and support.
As a general rule, the more fillings a mattress contains, and the higher the quality of those fillings, the more sumptuous it will feel. "In our experience, synthetic fillings tend not to last as well as natural fillings and have inferior qualities," Black says. "We fill our mattresses with a combination of British-grown hemp and Herdwick wool from Yorkshire. Wool has antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal qualities, making it ideal for asthma or allergy sufferers. It's also naturally elastic, which means it keeps its structure, so your mattress keeps its comfort." If your partner is heavier or lighter than you, the solution may be a combination mattress with different spring tensions on either side. "The vast majority of people sleep on the same side of the bed, so it's worth the investment," Black says. Alternatively, consider zip and link mattresses, which are essentially two mattresses of different tensions zipped together. Sleep Number mattresses — air mattresses combined with other bed filling materials, such as memory foam — have dual controls so sleeping partners can adjust their side of the bed to their preferred firmness.
The most popular nonsprung mattresses are those made of memory foam, which is sensitive to heat and therefore molds to the contours of the body to eliminate pressure points and give a supportive night's sleep. Some people find memory foam restrictive, so always try before you buy. When testing, adopt one position and then move into another. If you find it tough to switch positions, this suggests memory foam is not for you. Turn your mattress regularly to prolong its lifespan. If you buy a mattress that can't be turned, rotate it every few weeks so that the head end becomes the foot end. "This is especially important in the first few weeks of use, when the snug top layer begins to settle," Marshall says. "And when investing in a new mattress, check that it comes with a guarantee," Marshall says. Houzz helps you renovate and design your home from start to finish, whether you’re decorating a small room or building a custom home and everything in between. Just like a mattress, your pillow is pretty much a personal choice.
It might feel like you’re not investing as much money, but you are investing just as much in your overall comfort. In fact, it could be possible that you’ve just bought a new mattress and you still get those upper back, neck and shoulder pains. This might have nothing to do with your mattress, and it could have everything to do with your choice of pillow. This is why I have added a page with tips for choosing a pillow that will help you if you’re not sure what type of pillow you should be using. You can find it here. However, as is my way I couldn’t just leave it there so below you will find a few quick reviews on some of the best bed pillows I have come across. In case you hadn’t notice due to the description of this pillow, it is best suited to those of you that need a softer surface beneath your head. So, if you sleep on your back this one might be the answer to your dreams! It’s made from 50% white goose feather and 50% white goose down. The cover is 100% cotton and the feathers and down within have been cleaned using a CentroClean system which is why it’s hypoallergenic.
If you prefer a fuller pillow that you can sink your head into, this is the one for you. Oh, and it’s available in various sizes, including Queen, King, 1 ‘8 x 22 inch and 2’ 2 x 22 inch. >> Check Details and Price at Amazon << What I love most about this pillow isn’t just that you get the benefit of memory foam (my favorite as you probably know), but you get the benefit of Iso-Cool technology. If you’ve never heard of this before it’s the perfect answer for those of you who get hot overnight. It has something called PCM or Phase Change Material. This means it’s full of tiny beads that cleverly react to your body temperature. If you’re too warm, the beads absorb heat so you feel cool, and if you’re too cold it releases heat so you feel warmer (clever huh). Aside from this great feature, you can buy this pillow in 3 sizes and all of them have a hypoallergenic cotton cover that can easily be removed using the zipper. Do bear in mind however, that because this pillow has memory foam it can feel firm so it’s probably better for side sleepers. >>
Check Details and Price at Amazon << Right, I’m moving back to soft pillows, but for this one you’re in for a treat! Royal Hotel has created one of the most luxurious pillows you can buy, and it’s full to brimming with hand plucked white goose down. All of the down used is bacteria free and to finish the whole thing off you have a cover made from 100% Egyptian cotton complete with double silk piping. This may not be the cheapest pillow on the market, but you get two for the money, and personally I think they make the perfect gift because the packaging is something to behold on its own! You can buy them in King and Standard sizes, but do bear in mind that even the standard size is pretty huge due to the amount of goose down used by the manufacturer. If you like big, soft but not too soft pillows and feel like treating yourself or someone special, these pillows should be on your shopping list! >> Check Details and Price at Amazon << Ok, so this is “just” a cover and not a pillow, but considering its functionality I just couldn’t leave it out.
For this one I have people who suffer from allergies in mind, and I also think this model is perfect for children. The Safe ZipCover uses EVOLON fabric which has been awarded the Seal of Quality by the ECARF (European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation). This pillow cover is engineered in Germany under the strictest of regulations and has been medically proven to protect from mites. It will also stop those bed bugs from biting and dust mites will be a thing of the past as well. In fact, if you’re someone who dreads all that sneezing, blocked noses and runny eyes overnight, I think this cover is definitely worth a look. The price will surprise you as well! The one other point to make is this pillow cover is eco-friendly because it’s constructed using raw materials that are sustainable, and there is no solvent or binders used during the manufacturing process. You can find it in the following three sizes: >> Check Details and Price at Amazon << If you’ve been looking for a pillow that will help to support your neck and you sleep on your side or back, the chances are some of the big brands are just too much for your budget.
That’s why I decided to include this model from Sleep Innovations. It has been specifically designed to help those of you who suffer from neck and back pain due to poor support from your current pillow. The shape is contoured so that when you lie on it, your spine is properly aligned depending on the position you sleep in. It uses SureTemp memory foam and the cover (which can be removed for washing) is made up of 80% cotton and 20% polyester giving it a velour feel which is soft to the touch. This pillow also includes a layer of cooling foam so you don’t overheat during the night. What I will say is this pillow can take some getting used to because it’s pretty firm, and the shape isn’t anything like a standard pillow. Oh, and you can buy it in Queen or Standard sizes.<< This pillow is not advertised to help with additional support so if you’re looking for something because of your aches and pains, this might not be the answer. However, if you suffer from allergies, it’s a great buy! The whole pillow (which I know interests many people) is made in the USA and it comes with a 3 year warranty, plus a 100% money back guarantee. The outer layer is 100% cotton and on the inside you benefit from siliconized cluster puff fiber. This gives the pillow an overall feel of “fluffiness” yet it’s not too soft and is the perfect alternative to the more expensive down pillows. Due to the fibers on the inside, unlike many other brands this one shouldn’t lose its shape and in fact the manufacturer boasts it will last anywhere from 3 to 5 years. The whole pillow is machine washable and it’s available in a good many sizes including Queen, King, Jumbo, Standard, Baby and Body. >>
Have you ever been to a hotel and thought “wow, that pillow was amazing”? Well, this one from Pacific Coast is probably the closest you’ll get! What I like most about this model is it’s like a “pillow within a pillow”. Basically, it’s made up of 95% natural duck feather which has been hyper-cleaned and 5% natural duck down which has also been treated. The down surrounds the feathers within, which results in a pillow that’s soft enough for your head to sink into, but is firm enough to offer you support. If you’re worried about allergies, this pillow can help as well. Hyper-clean technology means that all dust, dirt and allergens have been removed, and the outer AllerRest fabric prevents these particles from invading the pillow. The only comment I will make is this pillow is thick so if you prefer a flatter surface, maybe one of the other models I have here will suit you better. Plus, you should be prepared to give it a good old “fluff” every morning so it returns to its original shape.
<< OK, so we all want the best when it comes to the perfect pillow, but paying the prices asked for the most natural and luxurious materials isn’t possible for everyone. You may also be reading this little review and wondering when your search for the perfect pillow at a price you can afford will ever end! Well, if you’re a notorious stomach sleeper, this model might not do it for you (sorry), but the reason for this is it is quite thick and can feel pretty soft. This pillow uses 100% hypoallergenic Microfiber which has the feeling of down without the price tag. Due to the material used you can put the whole pillow into a washing machine (on a low temperature) and it won’t become lumpy or take forever to dry which makes it pretty convenient to keep clean. It comes with a 1 year limited warranty and you can buy it in Queen or Standard sizes. Just be prepared (like the one above) to fluff it up the next morning. >><< So, if you’ve read some of the reviews above and you prefer a firmer pillow, I can forgive you for thinking I’ve left you out! If you do fall into this bracket of “sleepers”, I chose this model from Z® by Malouf just for you. Like many of the memory foam mattresses I have reviewed, this pillow uses open cell technology which makes it durable yet “moldable”. Although I would put this pillow in the “firm” category, it doesn’t feel like rock when you lie on it, and it’s received very favorable comments about how quickly it returns to its original shape. The foam used is antimicrobial and resistant to dust mites and other allergens plus, you get a removable velour cover. Unlike a lot of models of pillow I have come across, this one isn’t just available in different sizes, you can also buy it in high or low loft. If you’re interested, the sizes available are Queen, King and Standard. >>