Recently, my husband started noticing that his back felt sore when he awoke in the morning. He seemed to sleep more comfortably on hotel beds than he did at home. I, too, began to notice some aches and pains. Our mattress was at least 10 years old, so we reluctantly decided a new one was in order. Usually, when it comes to large purchases, we’re careful, patient shoppers. My husband has been known to research cars for weeks and take repeated test drives before settling down to some hard bargaining with a dealership. But mattresses are not quite as expensive as automobiles, and we wanted a new one — fast. A quick look on the Consumer Reports Web site revealed that comparison shopping for mattresses is difficult, because there is little standardization of features or terminology. What one brand calls “super plush” might just be “plush” at another retailer. And the range of prices is truly mind-boggling, from a few hundred dollars to thousands for “memory foam” mattresses, made of material that was designed to protect astronauts.
The Consumer Reports ratings — which are based on surveys of the magazine’s readers — gave good marks to several stores, including the Denver Mattress Company. There happens to be one in our town, so we opted to skip the usual in-depth research and head straight to the store. (Mattresses are resistant to online shopping; you really do have to try it out, in person, to make sure it’s not too firm, not too soft, but just right.) We vaguely recalled paying around $800 for our last queen-size mattress and box spring set, so we had that in mind as an informal budget. We plopped first onto a “memory foam” mattress, and I have to say it was extraordinarily comfortable, if a bit odd to feel the foam molding around my limbs. And yes, it feels silly lolling about on beds in public. But mattress shopping requires it. Still, even though we’d be using it nightly for years, its nearly $2,000 price tag seemed extravagant. (A floor model was available at a discount, but it lacked any sort of warranty.
And since we had not had any experience with memory foam, we opted not to take a chance.) We moved on to see if there were less-costly innerspring models that would work. We next tried the store’s Doctor’s Choice brand, which offered a queen-size “Euro top” model for about $600. It felt O.K. to me, but seemed too firm to my husband. So we moved up to the “Madison plush,” which is usually about $700, but was being offered at $100 off. Also, the salesman offered to throw in a free pillow. (One piece of advice that Consumer Reports offers is to always wait for sales when buying mattresses, because they are so common.) We tried it, and both liked it. And it could be delivered in two days. That clinched the deal. Forty-eight hours later, as promised, the mattress arrived (at a fee of $50, though some stores offer free delivery). It’s been more than a week, and we both agree we’re sleeping more soundly so far. Sometimes, it seems, buying in haste doesn’t necessarily require repenting at leisure.
Have you recently bought a mattress? What was your experience?Chances are, you’re pretty picky about the shoes that you wear—especially for exercise—since you know that the wrong ones can set you up for aches and pains. But when was the last time that you thought about the kind of foundation that your mattress gives you each and every night? When it comes to a good night’s sleep, the mattress that you choose can make all the difference. After all, you spend nearly 3,000 hours lying on it each year. Read on for a run-down on how to pick the right mattress for you.What It Is: The most common type of mattresses in the U.S., innerspring mattressesare made up of anywhere from 300 to 1,000 or more springs that are insulated in cushioning. They can be firm or soft, depending on the gauge (thickness) of the wire and the cushioning used.Best For: Innerspring mattresses are a good choice for nearly anyone, though the firmer support can make them easier to get in and out of if you’re very overweight.
How To choose: You may hear that more coils means a more comfortable mattress, but that isn’t necessarily true. It’s tough to tell the difference once a mattress has more than 390 coils, (unless you’re the princess and the pea!). The real test: Spend at least 10 to 15 minutes lying on any mattress to get a literal feel for it. And bring your own pillow.Memory Foam or Latex MattressesWhat It Is: Memory foam mattresses are made up of different densities of foam that contour to your body, while latex mattresses are made of rubber that provides firm, consistent support throughout the bed. Both can be found as toppers for any mattress.Best For: Memory foam is often a good choice for people with chronic fatigue or muscle pain, because those conditions can make it difficult to get comfortable. Steer clear if you tend to overheat at night, since memory foam can exacerbate temperature issues. Latex is best for fans of a firm bed, especially those who have back pain.How To Choose: Like with any mattress hunt, make sure to spend plenty of time lying on your options.
Don’t be shy about it! Pay attention to any unpleasant smells you notice (some people complain about off-gassing with memory foam).What it is: We’re not talking about the blow-up types that you pull out for camping and overnight guests. Some brands feature mechanical air chambers that allow for customized support.Best For: He likes it firm, and she likes a pillow-top feel? Couples who have dramatically different preferences for firmness do well with these mattresses since each side is individually adjustable, allowing each sleeper to have his or her own way.How To Choose: In addition to cozying up with your prospective choices, make sure to try out the controls. Tip: You may need to make it firmer than you think that you do to get the support that you need to prevent back pain.Also, since air mattresses have working parts, it’s a good idea to check out reviews online or through the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Reports to make sure that the brand doesn’t have a reputation for malfunctioning.