IN FEBRUARY, I went to Charleston, S.C., to explore its happening food scene and frozen-in-amber 19th-century architecture, but I couldn’t tell you much about either: I barely got out of bed. The billowy mattress, silky-smooth sheets, puffy down comforter and mountain of pillows at the Vendue, an inn in the city’s historic district, were positively narcotic. My husband had to pry me out. The bed even made up for the hotel’s spotty service. On the first day of our two-night vacation, the housekeeper didn’t get to our... ‘Hockey Hair’ Videos Boost Minnesota High-School Tournament Land Rover Performs ‘The Hatch Trick’ Drowning in Charging Cables? Mount Etna Eruption: Skiers Chase Smoldering Boulder Could North Korea's Missiles Reach the U.S.?Considering that most people spend about one-third of their lives in bed, it's hardly surprising that a mattress can have a big impact on your overall health. There are several types of mattresses, each with a particular set of advantages and disadvantages.
Traditional innerspring models remain the most popular type, but newer alternatives -- including memory foam, latex foam, air mattresses with adjustable firmness "zones" (as exemplified by the Sleep Number brand) and organic mattresses made of various materials -- have gained favor with owners. One of the big issues with buying a new mattress is that it generally requires a fairly significant cash outlay -- in most cases about $500 for a twin; $1000 or more for a queen or king. Some cost two or three times as much, depending upon features. And that often does not include the box spring or other foundation. However, with as much time as you spend in bed, and the average length of time you'll own the mattress, it pays to buy the best one you can afford. Figuring out exactly how much a mattress costs can also be difficult. Most mattress companies have a specific line (or several) of a mattress (Posturepedic by Sealy and Beautyrest by Simmons are good examples of this), and then, within that line, have dozens of different models that are not detailed on the manufacturer's website.
So, while several retailers may carry the same line, there is little consistency from retailer to retailer. In addition, the same model may be sold under different names at different retailers. Because of that, for the purposes of this report, we don't rate specific mattresses; rather, we rate mattress lines that get the best reviews across the board. As for price, we have quoted the manufacturer's suggested retail price, which are usually much higher than the actual prices you'll find in stores. We discuss price in more detail -- as well as how to get the best deal -- on our buying guide page. Also, if a mattress is just one of several bedroom purchases you're planning, check out our related reports on bed sheets, pillows and mattress toppers. Innerspring mattresses have been the most popular type for decades, and countless styles, features and options are available. Models vary greatly in cost, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Price differences may depend on the number and size of the coils, the amount and type of padding, and details such as fabric and stitching.
Compared with other types, innerspring mattresses tend to retain less body heat and come in a wider range of firmness levels. They do tend to transfer more motion, which can be a concern if you share your bed with a partner, but can be a plus during sex. They're also less durable and more prone to sagging than other types of mattresses. Most experts say innerspring mattresses should be replaced after 10 years at most. Memory foam mattresses are made from visco-elastic foam, a type of foam that molds itself to the body. While the best-known manufacturer is Tempur-Pedic, quite a few companies offer less expensive versions. Many owners love sleeping on memory foam because of how well it conforms to the curves and lines of the body. Memory foam is also a good choice if you have a restless partner as it minimizes movement transfer. Going from innerspring to memory foam can take some getting used to, but most who give it time say making the switch was well worth it. Some people find that memory foam traps heat -- a complaint that makers have addressed with the development of gel-infused memory foam, which is designed to create a cooler sleeping surface.
Latex foam mattresses, which are made from natural or synthetic rubber, are springier than memory foam mattresses and don't retain as much body heat. They are also resistant to mold and dust mites. In addition, mattresses made of natural latex are eco-friendly, since natural latex is a renewable resource. Many latex mattresses go for several thousand dollars for a queen set, although some lower-end brands that incorporate synthetic latex and a less expensive processing method can run as low as $3000 (for twin). Some mattresses may help to ease back pain. Experts say that adjustable, permanent-use air mattresses may be the best choice for back pain sufferers. Don't confuse them with inflatable, temporary air mattresses, though, which we cover in a separate report; those aren't considered suitable for long-term use. Permanent air mattresses, such as those sold under the Sleep Number Bed label, have air chambers that can be adjusted to provide customized support, and are topped with padding.
Some even allow each side of the mattress to be adjusted independently. Permanent air mattresses can be expensive, running at least $1,000 for a queen set. They tend to be quite durable though, because, while they rely on mechanical parts that can fail, those parts are replaceable. Although it would seem as if the experiences of mattress owners would be the most crucial aspect of finding the best mattress; in fact, owners reviews are fairly hard to come by for specific mattresses. This may be because, as noted earlier, there is little consistency between mattress models. -- which has compiled more data about mattress satisfaction than any other site. Factors including comfort, value and durability are included in our analysis. The result of our research is the best mattresses for your best night's sleep.AccesswireJuly 4, 2015 10 Point Comparison Reveals PROS and CONS of Budget-Friendly and Luxury Gel Memory Foam MattressesChicago, IL. / ACCESSWIRE / July 3, 2015 / "Compared to first generation temper foam developed in the 1960s, modern-day memory foam is available in a variety of firmness levels, springs back faster, heats up less, and lasts longer.
However, even some of today’s so-called best memory foam mattresses from renowned manufacturers are far from flawless" cautions Belinda Palmer, a spokeswoman for Bedroom Solutions.This Top 10 Memory Foam Mattress Review and Comparison was recently published to educate consumers on the Pros and Cons of popular mattresses, so that they can quickly recognize a low-quality mattress.The above review compares mattresses based on features like (1) density/firmness, (2) thickness of gel memory foam layers, (3) heat retention, (4) CertiPUR-US safety certifications, (5) motion transfer between partners, (6) suitability to different sleeping positions, (7) hypoallergenic properties, (8) price, (9) user reviews, and (10) warranty period.Visit http://Bedroom.Solutions/Memory-Foam-Mattresses/ to learn about above features of the best budget-friendly memory foam mattresses in today’s marketplace.Popular mattress brands like Simmons Beautyrest, Serta iComfort, and Tempur-Pedic occupy the list of best luxury memory foam mattresses while less well-known brands like Perfect Cloud Ultra Plush, Ultimate Dreams, Sleep Innovations, Signature Sleep, Classic Brands, Amerisleep, Dynasty Mattress, and Lucid make up the list of best budget-friendly mattresses.
"The decision-making process that goes into selecting a mattress can be exhausting" exclaims Palmer. "The first hurdle is choosing between memory foam, latex, inner spring, water, and air mattresses" she adds.The Memory Foam vs Latex vs Inner Spring vs Adjustable Air Mattress Comparison was recently published by Bedroom Solutions to help people get through this initial hurdle.The above comparison looks at various aspects of the 4 mattress types such as: (1) support on pressure points and alignment of the spine, (2) motion transfer between partners, (3) mattress sagging, (4) the need to rotate/flip mattresses, (5) how hot or cool it sleeps, (6) suitability to use on adjustable beds, (7) off gassing odor, (8) weight, (9) lifespan, and (10) cost. The comparison clearly shows that memory foam and latex are superior to others in most aspects."Once the consumer makes the above decision, he or she still needs to decide whether to buy a (1) soft, medium, or firm mattress, (2) thin (6" – 8") or thick (10", 12" or 14") mattress, (3) full, queen, or king size, and (4) whether to buy online or at the local mattress retailer" elaborates Palmer.Once the consumer is convinced that he/she needs a memory foam mattress
, several additional factors need to be considered to ensure that an uncomfortable mattress is not purchased. "While memory foam is superior to other types in many aspects, especially, older-generation memory foam can have a few drawbacks” explains Palmer. “As a result, some of the cheap memory foam mattresses (1) emit strong chemical odors, (2) heat up too much, (3) are too soft or too firm, (4) fail to expand back to correct thickness after being shrink wrapped, (5) sag prematurely, and have (6) excessively soft edges" she adds.Over the last four decades memory foam has been around, manufacturers have recognized these flaws and come up with effective solutions. One such solution worth mentioning is how the ‘sleeping hot’ problem has been handled. Foam mattresses are inherently good at absorbing body heat, but poor at releasing it out. This has been successfully addressed in newer generation memory foam thanks to ‘open-cell’ technology, invention of gel memory foam mattresses, strategic placement of grooves that bring out hot air, use of air-infused memory foam, and even using bamboo-made mattress covers that allow mattresses to efficiently ‘breathe’, in turn allowing mattresses to stay cool.