Think mattress pads are just a required cover for your bed? Well, you’re partly right—every mattress does need a cover to protect from typical wear and tear. But the right mattress topper can do more: Some protect mattresses from dust, dander, and spills, some help the bed stay at a comfortable sleeping temperature, some reduce how much the bed moves when a sleeper tosses and turns, and some can even make a so-so feeling mattress a fabulous place to sleep. If you want to find the right mattress topper for you, this guide can help. Why do you need a mattress pad? Most people buy a new mattress pad because they either have a new mattress that they want to protect or because they're looking to make their bed more comfortable. What are you protecting your mattress from? Everyday wear and tear A basic cotton mattress pad A waterproof mattress pad Allergens like dust, dust mites and pet dander A mattress pad enhanced with anti-allergen properties
A mattress protector with bedbug barriers What would make your mattress more comfortable? Temperature control: A mattress pad that stays comfortable relative to how hot or cold I am in the night. Mattress pads filled with natural fibers like cotton, wool, or down. A bed that adjusts to my body: I'd like a mattress pad that makes my bed feel more custom-fit to me. A down-filled mattress pad, which is fluffy and comfortable-and will help keep the temperature even while you sleep. (If you're concerned about allergies, you can also opt for a down-alternative mattress pad.) A Visco Elastic mattress pad (aka, Memory Foam ) can also conform better to your body-these synthetic pads respond to body heat, getting softer in the spots you press the mattress most, and staying firm elsewhere-so they feel like they're supporting you where you need it. And if you opt for a cotton mattress pad, look for one with a higher fill count, which will feel softer. More firmness: I'd like my mattress to feel a little firmer than it currently does.
A latex mattress pad or a Visco elastic pad can add more firmness to the mattress for a more supported feeling. Reducing motion: I need a way to make my partner's tossing and turning less jarring to me when I sleep. A mattress pad made with Memory Foam or latex will reduce the transfer of motion, meaning one side won't move as much when the other one does. Mattress pads and mattress toppers are often confused. Here are the most common types of bed toppers. Type of mattress toppers Mattress Protector (a non-padded mattress covers) Non-padded mattress covers (sometimes called encasements) are designed to help protect a mattress from exposure to things that might damage it-like water, dust and dust mites, mold, pet dander, and other allergens. Non-padded mattress covers can be made of cotton, vinyl or super-tightly woven polyester fabric, and they usually zip up to totally surround the mattress. (You can get these encasements for box springs, too.) A fitted mattress pad works like a fitted sheet-a ring of elastic around its bottom edge helps secure it to the bed.
Unlike a sheet, however, a fitted mattress pad is quilted on top to provide a comfortable sleeping surface-and to circulate air to help sleepers' body temperatures stay more even during the night. Fitted mattress pads are a good match for most standard-size mattresses. Because it has a quilted top, a guaranteed-to-fit mattress pad helps make a bed feel more comfortable. It also offers better temperature regulation. The side panels of a guaranteed-to-fit mattress pad are made with an elasticized fabric that helps it attach securely to deeper mattresses, usually up to depth of 24". (These mattress pads are sometimes referred to as Tailor Fit or Expand-a-Grip.) Visco Elastic Mattress Toppers These mattress toppers, sometimes called memory foam, are designed to provide additional support to sleepers. They conform to the body because they're made with a temperature-sensitive material that contracts more where the body is warmer, but stays firmer where the body is cooler. These mattress toppers can also dampen motion when a sleeper moves.
Visco elastic mattress pads are placed on the bed underneath the fitted sheet. These mattress toppers are essentially mattress-sized pillows designed to create a more comfortable sleeping surface. Fiberbeds and featherbeds cradle body areas that don't come into contact with the mattress. These stuffed pads are made with natural materials like down and cotton or with man-made materials, and can be placed underneath or on top of a fitted sheet. Also referred to as egg crates, these dimpled foam pads are designed to improve body weight distribution. They add support, help reduce tossing and turning, and add a layer of cushioning to the bed. These mattress pads are electric and come with warming controls. Some come with dual controls that let you have different warmth settings for each side of the bed. The cover's fabric content: 100% cotton covers will provide superior comfort and durability over cotton/polyester blends; many are treated with fabric protection that makes them stain- and water-repellant as well as anti-microbial.
The cover's thread count: This number stands for the number of threads per square inch of fabric. A higher thread count of a better quality yarn will provide a mattress pad with greater resistance to wear and tear (it will feel softer, too). The mattress pad's fill: Most mattress pads have a polyester fill. As you'd expect, thicker fill provides more cushioning. Down-alternative fills, which are made of super-fine gel fibers, provide extra support and comfort. All mattress pads are machine washable. The general rule is to launder them less frequently than you wash your sheets, but more frequently than your comforter.A while ago we explained how important it is to spend your money where you spend your time, and considering we spend at least a third of our lives asleep or in bed, skimping on your mattress or sleeping surface can be detrimental to your health.At the same time, not everyone has the budget for the top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art mattress. We asked some chiropractors and orthopedists what they suggest you look for when shopping for a mattress.
Here's what they said. The first thing you should do before you even head out to shop for mattresses is know how much you're willing to spend. Going into any major purchase with a budget and spending cap in mind will help you avoid spending too much and will also help you buy the best mattress you can afford while avoiding the extra fluff and accessories that mattress stores are notorious for trying to load you up with. Keep those add-ons and accessories in mind when you head to the store. As soon as you select a mattress, the salesperson will try and sell you mattress covers, extended warranties, bedframes and other accessories that you may or may not actually need. Mattress stores are notorious for making it difficult to comparison shop, so don't expect to be able to go from store to store and see the same mattress there for different prices. You're better off paying attention to mattress brand and mattress type when you go shopping. Don't put too much stock in model names or "line" names.
One store may have a line from a prominent manufacturer under one name, and another store will have a line from the same manufacturer under another name, and in reality the mattresses are the same and simply marketed differently for different retailers. If you're trying to stick to a budget, check out your local mattress stores' catalogues or websites to see what's on sale. Make notes of model names and numbers that are in your price range, and when you get to the store, ask to see those specific models. In some cases, mattress stores only stock a few of the models on sale (so you don't find out they're out of stock until you're in the store), so find out early if they have what you're looking for. Mattress manufacturers and retailers have dozens of names for different types of mattresses, but there are only really a few basic types: If you have a mattress salesperson who's trying to get you on and off a floor model quickly, run — don't walk — to the exits. You won't be able to judge whether a mattress is comfortable if you only get to lay down on it for 30 seconds.
Get the sales person to bring you a test pillow so you can try the mattress in the same position you sleep, and rest on it for a good few minutes. Give yourself time to relax and settle into the mattress before you make a decision about whether it's too firm or soft or just doesn't feel right. One great way to find a mattress that you'll like is to start with the high-end mattresses in the store and work your way down from there. You may be leading your salesperson on a little bit, but the point is that you get to experience the super high-end top-of-the-line mattresses first to get a feel for how comfortable they are, and then you start to step down in features and padding until you start to test mattresses that are less comfortable than you'd like. Then you'll know where the balance is, and you can make a decision based on comfort and budget. A number of the chiropractors and orthopaedists that I spoke to for this story had specific brand suggestions for people looking for the most comfort and a mattress designed with health in mind.
Massachusetts chiropractor Dr Benjamin Ryan tells his patients that if you can afford it, the Sleep Number bed by Select Comfort is the way to go, especially if you and the person sleeping next to you prefer different levels of firmness in your sleeping surface. He suggests spending a little less money to get a model without a fancy control or pillowtop, and then going out and buying a pillowtop from your local bed and bath store if you want a little more softness. He explained to me that he went to a department store for a memory foam layer and added it to his mattress when he decided it was too firm. He rightly notes that you can always make a firm mattress a little softer by putting something on top of it — you can't make a soft mattress firmer. Chiropractor Dr William Bleam, on the other hand, suggest you look into Tempur-Pedic mattresses. He warned that Tempur-Pedic mattresses can be "warmer" than others and retain heat overnight. He explained he's a proud owner of a Tempur-Pedic mattress, but notes that if you're on a budget and don't want to spend the money on the brand name, there are a number of more affordable "memory foam" mattresses that offer the same style of sleeping and comfort.
It's also worth noting that "form to fit" style mattresses can be difficult to get in and out of, and definitely aren't for everyone, but they do offer even support while sleeping (as opposed to "innercoil" mattresses, which Dr Bleam recommends against), and can be perfect for people who fall asleep in one position and stay in it for most of the night. Dr Jon Donshik, an orthopaedic surgeon based in Aventura, Florida, dismissed the notion of brand loyalty entirely. He explained that while brand name mattresses are definitely the standard, he tells his patients to go with what "feels right" and not to blow the bank on a mattress unless you've tried it in the store for a good long test and you've fallen in love with it. He explained that expensive mattresses may feel better, but they won't instantly cure back pain, which can be caused by a number of factors, so be careful with your money. Whatever mattress you choose, our experts agree that you should try the best and work your way to a level that meets your needs for comfort and support but also fits in your budget.
That said, don't set your budget unreasonably low — you're going to spend a lot of time in bed, you at least want to be comfortable, and an uncomfortable night's sleep can lend itself to other problems during your waking hours. You've tested several mattresses, and you're ready to pick one. Now it comes down to price. Some mattress stores offer no-haggle pricing, and they'll try and get more money out of you on accessories and warranties, but if you're shopping in any of the major chains, the price is almost always flexible. Don't be afraid to ask for a price, and then propose something different, or let the salesperson know that you really like this model but you're not willing to spend X-amount of dollars on it. You won't get a yes every time, but you may be able to negotiate an acceptable price on a mattress that you initially thought was out of your price range. Before you seal the deal, make sure that the mattress comes with delivery and disposal of your old mattress (often something you can negotiate in for free), a solid warranty and your retailer has an in-home trial period.
Most reputable retailers will give you 30 to 60 days to try out the mattress in your home, and if you hate it, they'll refund your money or exchange you for another mattress. Make the most of that period of time, and pay close attention to how you're sleeping and how you feel when you're awake. You won't be able to tell much from the first couple of days, but once you get used to it, Virginia-based chiropractor Dr Eugene Su says you should start feeling better overall. If you have more energy and getting up in the morning is easier than it used to be, you may be on to something good. He also warns against falling in behind a specific brand, model or type, and encourages his patients to try different types of mattresses to see what they find most comfortable. If you have the mattress at home already, he suggest you pay attention to a few specific things: Dr Su notes that all of these symptoms are also warning signs that it's about time to replace your mattress, but if you're trying out a new mattress at home for the first month and you see these signs getting worse and not better, it may be time to call the mattress store and trade for a different model.
If you've had your mattress for a few months and you still notice you're uncomfortable, or the mattress is suddenly uneven, don't hesitate to call the manufacturer and make a warranty claim. A warranty claim will net you the same mattress you already have, most likely, but if the problem is a defect, you'll be happy you have it. Make sure an extended warranty or protection plan is worth it before buying. A good manufacturer's warranty will serve you better than a retailer's replacement plan in many cases, and instead of spending the extra money, consider an extended warranty fund with the money you would have spent on a protection plan in case issues come up. With luck, these tips will help you walk into the mattress store informed and ready to test and buy the right mattress for you. Don't forget to test several, and some mattress stores have sleep tests you can take to determine how firm or soft your mattress should be. They'll help you get started, but trust yourself, you'll know when the mattress you're lying on is something you can see yourself resting on all night.