Edit ArticleHow to Buy a Mattress Two Methods:Researching Before PurchasingPurchasing Your MattressCommunity Q&A Buying a mattress is one of the most major purchases you can make for your home. You will likely spend more time on your mattress than any other piece of furniture that you own. For this reason, take a few steps to make sure that you buy the best mattress for your lifestyle. Visit mattress websites to see what’s offered. If you haven’t purchased a mattress in a while, it’s good to see what options are available before going to a store. Check prices online to see what you feel is reasonable based on what is being offered. Mattress brands are often coming out with new styles of mattresses including ones that offer adjustable firmness levels and temperatures. Decide how high-tech you want your mattress to be, as some of these may only be available at specialty stores or online. Look up what special features may be offered by each mattress brand including a trial period or money-back guarantee.
If desired, you can print this information to bring to the store with you. Decide on a level of firmness. Although this is difficult to determine without first testing mattresses, a few physical factors can help direct your decision. If you have back problems, consider a medium-firm to firm mattress choice. These are best for supporting your lower back and reducing back pain. Pillow-top mattresses are best for people who aren’t too light, as they won’t have enough weight to suppress the top and the springs to a point that it makes a difference in comfort. Larger people typically find pillow-top mattresses more comfortable for this reason. Ignore the spring count that is given as proof for a mattress’ supposed quality and firmness or softness. Studies have shown that the number of springs doesn’t actually affect how comfortable the mattress is. Measure the space you plan to put the bed. Nothing is worse than finding and purchasing your perfect mattress, just to realize you can’t fit it in your house.
Check your space availability in your bedroom, and then decide on a size of mattress to fit. Twin mattresses are the smallest size, and measure on average 39”/75”. The next largest size after a twin mattress is a full or double mattress, which measures at 54”/75”. The queen sized mattress is the most commonly purchased by couples for its size and relative price. It measures at 60”/80”. King size bed is the largest standard sized mattress available. Some mattress brands and stores offer an extra large bed called the California king, which measures at 72”/84”. Be sure the mattress size you intend to purchase not only fits inside your bedroom, but also through all doors used to enter the room. Find a store(s) to shop at.In order for you to know how well you like a mattress, you must test it out in the store. Search around looking for mattresses that meet your criteria, and then lay on each to see how you like them. Lay on each mattress for at least 2-3 minutes, and up to 15.
The floor models are out specifically for this reason, so don’t be hesitant to lay in the store for a bit. Ignore descriptors on tags such as “ultra plush,” “super soft,” or “extra firm.” These aren’t regulated terms and are used freely within each mattress brand without consistency between them. Instead, just lay on the mattress to get a feel for how soft or firm it is. Try a firm, a plush, and a pillow-top mattress to get a feel for which type you prefer. Compare these types all within the same mattress brand to get the most accurate idea of which you like best. Ask to see a cutaway of the mattress if it’s available, so you can see exactly what it is you may be sleeping on. Ask about a comfort guarantee. A comfort guarantee varies between brands, but is a certain period of time after you’ve purchased your mattress in which you can return or exchange it for free. Always do this before you purchase and verify at purchase to make sure you are getting the correct information.
Find out how long the comfort guarantee lasts for, as this can be different depending on each brand. Learn if you must pay for shipping to/from your home if the mattress doesn’t work out for you. This way you won’t be surprised by extra costs later. Take it for a trial run. Purchase the necessary mattress add-ons. Although buying just a mattress is all that seems necessary, you must also purchase a minimum of a box spring to support it as well. Always buy a new box spring with your new mattress, as old box springs wear out over time and lose the desired support and firmness. Purchase a waterproof mattress protector to cover your new mattress. This not only makes cleanup easier should something spill on it, but will keep the warranty intact. Many warranties void out if the mattress is stained or spilled on.The prices of mattresses can often be lowered with a little bartering done with a sales associate or store manager. Use the numbers you found online earlier to determine if you are getting a good deal.
Include the cost of old mattress pick-up and the delivery and setup of the new mattress in the total cost.many stores will throw in free services if they are simply asked. Show more unanswered questions Some stores will allow you to take a mattress home for a trial run. Sometimes there will be a small fee for this, or even a credit check. Ask around for a good retailer or brand. Word of mouth is often the most reliable tool you have when researching a new brand or model. Make sure the mattress is comfortable in the store before purchasing. Feel free to lay on it if the display allows. Do not allow the sales persons' pitch to alter your choice. You've invested a fair amount on your own, and the salesperson will most likely not be familiar with any brands or models outside their own store and inventory.Replacing your mattress can be an exhausting proposition. Not only are there hundreds of models to choose from, but a big part of what makes a good one is very personal: One person's luxury is another person's backache waiting to happen.
Further, there's the matter of cost; mattresses can go for literally thousands of dollars. , an independent mattress review website."For something that you're going to sleep on every day for 10 years, you want materials that are durable and high quality," he says. "And most likely, you won't find good materials that can withstand daily uses for under $1,000." That said, you should never pay full price for a mattress — always shop the sales, and don't be afraid to negotiate with the salesperson either for a discount or for extras (a bed frame, pillows, sheets) to be thrown in.Here's the savvy way to navigate a showroom full of mattresses with confidence:START WITH SUPPORT The first decision you have to make has to do with a mattress's core, which provides the support. There are four common types: innerspring, foam, latex, and air-filled.If you like a bed with bounce... Innerspring mattresses have that familiar bouncy feel. Still, you can choose how springy you want it to be.
The metal coils are typically gauged anywhere from 12 (the thickest and firmest) to 18 (the thinnest and most compressible). Heavier folks tend to prefer a thicker gauge's support. Coils that are interconnected are extra-durable, but individual "pocketed" coils, each covered with fabric, reduce the ripple effect that happens when someone on one side of the bed moves.Innerspring mattresses typically have either a fiberfill or foam outer layer, covered in quilted ticking. But even if you want an uber-plush feel, don't be swayed by a thick-looking pillowtop."A really puffy layer might feel great in the store, but in a few months, you'll see it compressing and not coming back," says Magnuson. It's often best to choose a firmer, well-quilted mattress, and then cover it with a replaceable mattress pad or feather bed.If you prefer an extra-firm base... Memory foam mattresses (which have a polyurethane core) have much less spring. "You sit on it, and it doesn't really sink or budge beyond the topmost layer," Magnuson says.
To determine their quality, ask for the specs on a) how thick the layer of foam is, and b) the foam's density. Thickness can vary from 2 to 6 inches, which will determine how deep you'll sink. In terms of density, 5 pounds per cubic foot is considered very high quality, while down to 3 pounds per cubic foot is less so.If you like a little buoyancy... Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam models in terms of firmness, but have a bit more spring-back. Natural latex (some mattresses are synthetic) is also antimicrobial, resistant to mold and dust mites. These mattresses can be pricey, but claim to last up to 20 years or more.There are two types of latex: Dunlop latex is more dense and heavier than the lighter Talalay latex, which has a softer feel.If you like customization... Consider an an air-filled vinyl or rubber chamber mattress, which has a remote that lets you to control how much air is inside. Many have two side-by-side chambers, which allow the mattress firmness to be customized separately for you and your partner.
The top surface is similar to an innersprings: quilted fiberfill or foam. Beyond the four types of mattresses, there are other factors in their construction that you'll need to think about. From sleep style to body type, to negotiating with a bedfellow, your lifestyle can help you make the best choice:If you tend to sleep on your side... You'll want a surface with a lot of "pressure relief" or the ability to disperse while supporting your body weight, and conforming to your shape."Imagine you're lying on a hard floor and there's a heat map showing the points at which your body is producing the most pressure," Magnuson says.Cushy memory foam or a mattress with a fluffy topper will have the most pressure relief, while a very firm mattress will offer the least. Innersprings may have more pressure relief than a foam or latex mattress. Test out mattresses lying down to get a real feel.If you tend to sleep on your stomach... Following that heat-map analogy, the last thing a stomach-sleeper probably wants is an enveloping memory foam — it would feel smothering!
Instead, a firm top surface will provide the best support. Consider a dense innerspring, air-filled, or latex mattress.If you tend to sleep on your back... Here, you'll want something in the middle — a surface that supports, but has some give so your spine is kept in a healthy alignment. You'll find happiness with any of the mattress types, but you should do your best princess-and-the-pea impression to see what feels best to you.If your partner tosses and turns all night... Consider an innerspring mattress with pocketed coils, or memory foam, latex, or a dual-chamber air-filled mattress. These will all have good "motion isolation." But remember, these models could actually be less comfortable on the body of a restless sleeper, as there's little forgiveness against one's movements.If you and your partner's preferences don't match... The air-filled mattresses with dual chambers are made just for you. If you find that the top surface isn't comfy enough, you can add a separate topper.
If you tend to sleep hot... Mattresses topped with foam or latex can hold in body heat, especially if they're very soft and a lot of your body sinks in. For this reason, you may prefer a fiberfill-topped innerspring mattress. Or — even better — use a removable fiberfill or feather mattress topper that can be removed and washed.If you have allergies... Foam and latex are both inherently antimicrobial and resistant to dust mites and mold. If you opt for innerspring or air topped with fiberfill, be sure to encase it in an allergen-resistant cover to keep irritants at bay.If you can't pinpoint what matters most ... Some savvy manufacturers make a hybrid style mattress that combines the buoyancy of an innerspring core with the motion isolation of memory foam. It's a best-of-both-worlds option that can satisfy many partner disputes and sleeping styles, though it comes at a cost — these luxury models can be pricey. A NOTE ON LIFESPAN AND WARRANTIES You may think that a longer warranty shows a confidence in the product, or a promise of a certain lifespan.