Most mattresses require replacement every ten years or so. When your old mattress feels more like a sagging sack of potatoes than something designed for sleep, it's time for an upgraded sleeping solution. While both a new mattress or a mattress topper can make sleep time a little more enjoyable, your ultimate choice may depend upon whether a mattress topper makes enough difference in the feel of the mattress, compared to the upfront cost of a completely new mattress. With Topping A quality mattress topper is sometimes all that's needed to transform an uncomfortable mattress into one that offers a good night's sleep. If the mattress itself is still in good shape -- no sags, tears or stray springs to poke your back -- a topper may do the trick. A mattress too firm for your liking is made more comfortable with a soft topper, such as one filled with down. Likewise, a soft mattress offers a more supportive feel when fitted with a natural latex topper. A topper generally costs less than a mattress of similar quality, and is easier to move and manipulate without help.
Without Topping While a mattress topper seems like a good idea for a less-than-comfortable mattress, it's not always the ideal solution. A topper, no matter how well it's made, cannot make up for problems such as a significant sag in the middle of a mattress. A mattress in such bad shape requires replacement; even with a topper, it may still cause backaches or sleeplessness. A topper may make up for minor concerns, such as a mattress slightly too firm or too soft, but without a good mattress beneath, it does not significantly change the overall sleep experience. Test It First A new mattress provides comfortable support when the old one is in such bad shape even a topper does not help. At least with a mattress, lying on it in the store allows you to know ahead of time how it feels. With a mattress topper, there's no way to tell how comfy it is on top of your existing mattress until you bring it home and try it. A quality mattress, especially one that can be flipped for even more wear, typically lasts longer than a topper, which takes the brunt of the abuse from daily use.
New Mattress Woes Cost is a major consideration when purchasing a new mattress. While inexpensive models may be a few hundred dollars, pricier models may be more than ten times that amount. As with any mattress, even a quality one eventually needs replacement -- most mattresses wear out in less than ten years. And many new mattresses contain a lot of chemicals and fire-retardants that can affect people with allergies. Review the chemicals and products that go into a mattress before buying to make your sleep a safe and healthy one. /Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionMany people who have made the crossover from traditional innerspring mattresses to memory foam are enthusiastic about the benefits they have received. Naturally, they want to share their improved sleep experience with their children. But is memory foam appropriate for children? In general, a memory foam mattress is not a good idea for infants and toddlers. However, older children and teens can usually enjoy the benefits of memory foam without any issues or concerns.
The biggest things to consider when addressing this question are the child’s age and size, the memory foam properties, and the mattress properties. Age, Needs & Safety The same body-contouring properties that have made memory foam products famous worldwide are the same characteristics that can pose a danger to infants. This is of particular concern with temperature sensitive memory foams which soften under body heat and weight, allowing the sleeper to sink slightly while the surrounding material remains firmer (making turning more difficult). Nearly every professional source recommends infants and very young children sleep on a very firm surface, primarily because kids of this age may not be able to turn themselves over at night which can become dangerous on a soft or contouring material. Amerisleep’s memory foam is not temperature reactive so it maintains consistent firmness and offers a quick response time, proving safe for most kids outside of their preschool years.
Older children should not have a problem repositioning themselves and would generally be of sufficient size to be able to enjoy the benefits of memory foam without concerns. For kids up to their pre-teen years, a firm mattress would still be ideal according to expert sources (by teen years, we often develop more specific comfort preferences and needs however). One other potential concern parents may have involves chemicals in traditional memory foam mattresses that can result in off-gassing and unnecessary exposure. While largely considered innocuous, some types could use chemicals of concern that could contribute to or exacerbate existing respiratory or neurological conditions. Eco-friendly plant-based memory foam offers an alternative that combines healthiness and comfort, and may often present a safer option than standard spring beds. Our Bio-Pur™ foam is certified to be free of toxic components like formaldehyde, CFCs, and other concerning additives. Waterproof mattress covers can also help reduce concerns about chemicals as well as allergens, regardless of mattress type.
This will help extend the life of their bed, make accident cleanup much easier, and prevent dust mites and mold from accumulating. Memory Foam Can Benefit Kids Whether or not memory foam for kids is a good idea depends greatly on the kid, their age and size, and the mattress itself. As a parent, you will be the best judge of your child’s needs and abilities. Be sure to exercise caution and due diligence when considering a memory foam mattress for a young child, but know that memory foam can be perfectly safe for most kids and teens. View our mattress selection to find the best bed for your child. Amerisleep vs. Memory Foam Comparison For more, watch our interactive video. You can skip to chapters on the different types of mattresses, tips for test driving a mattress, and more. Common claims that haven’t held up in our tests: Foam Layers Make a Better Bed More innerspring mattresses now include foam on top. But the foam is often too thin to make a difference on some of the hybrid models.
Hybrid innerspring models that scored well in our tests had a foam layer several inches thick, though performance still varied. More Coils, the Better The better innerspring models we tested had 600 to 1,000 coils. But even if one mattress has more coils than another, the coils could be made of thinner-gauge metal. You’ll also hear about coil variations such as Bonnell (hourglass type), continuous wire, and individually pocketed springs. None of those is inherently superior. Gel Provides a Cooler Sleep Some mattresses (noted in our Ratings) have a layer of gel-infused foam that’s supposed to provide a cooling effect. But that layer is buried beneath other layers. While our tests have shown that innerspring mattresses containing gel did tend to sleep slightly cooler, the reverse was true with gel-infused foam beds. Extra Lumbar Support Helps Back Sleepers A special lumbar-support zone is one of many ways manufacturers try to differentiate their product lines.
But there’s no guarantee that it makes any real difference, and it hasn’t shown significant benefits in our tests. Forget About Comparison Shopping If you like a mattress at one store and ask elsewhere for something similar, you're likely to be steered toward a same-brand mattress claimed to have the same construction, components, and firmness. But they’re probably not the same. Mattress makers offer some lines nationally, but when those brands are sold through major chains such as Macy's, Sears, and Sleepy’s, they're for lines exclusive to those chains. And manufacturers don't publish a directory of comparable mattresses. When we went to three bedding chains and asked for mattresses similar to those we’d bought at three department stores, five of the six were way off the mark. So use our Ratings as a guide, and insist on the precise make and model that scored well in our tests. Also check our Ratings of mattress brands and stores, based on subscriber surveys. If possible, lie on any mattress that you’re considering.
Wear loose clothes and shoes you can slip off. Make yourself comfortable, and shoo away the salesperson if you’re feeling pressured. Salespeople should expect you to take your time. Spend at least five or ten minutes on each side and on your back (your stomach, too, if that's a preferred sleeping position). Panelists who took beds home for a month-long trial rarely changed the opinion they formed after the first night. Shopping online or at a warehouse club? Tryouts aren’t usually an option, so checking return policies before you buy is extra important. Make sure the store offers a full refund or credit toward another mattress. Return periods, often called “comfort guarantees,” range from a couple of weeks to 120 days. Some retailers, including Macy’s and Sears, charge a 15-percent restocking fee. Costco and some online sellers provide free pickup if you want a refund or exchange, but otherwise, you’ll have to pay for it—or cart the mattress to the store. And you’ll be responsible for any damage.
Once you’ve settled on a model, try to bring the price down. Many businesses, such as warehouse clubs, have fixed prices and won’t budge. But for retailers that do negotiate—particularly specialty chains—huge markups allow them to lower prices by 50 percent or more during their frequent sales. Our recommendation: Any time of year, insist on a sale price you’ve seen for the mattress you know you want, and don’t be afraid to walk out if you feel you’re getting a raw deal. Don’t Be Bullied Into Buying a Box Spring You might not need it. For an innerspring mattress, the box spring (also called a “foundation”) is a wood frame enclosing stiff wire and covered with fabric to match the mattress. For foam or adjustable-air mattresses, it’s a box several inches high. If you're switching to a foam or adjustable-air bed from an innerspring, you'll need a boxy foundation that lacks springs and wire. Otherwise, if your box spring isn't broken and is still structurally sound, consider keeping it and saving money (roughly $150 to $300 for a queen-size).