Which Firmness Is Right For Me
When it comes to firmness, your weight is the main thing to consider.However, firmness is subjective.
We’ve found that the majority of people get a good night’s sleep on ‘medium’ or ‘medium-firm’ pocket sprung mattresses.
Children and those who weigh less than 10 stone should consider a ‘medium-soft’ mattress.
Those who weigh more than 15 stone may find their best support in a ‘medium-firm’ or ‘firm’ mattress. Just bear in mind that a firm mattress does not always mean better support.
Does Mattress Size Really Matter
No matter how much homework you do to select the best mattress type and comfort level, if a mattress is not the right size, it will affect your sleep quality.
A mattress needs to accommodate all potential sleepers kids, pets, you while allowing you space to move around your bed comfortably.
Mattresses that are too small can lead to bumping into partners, cramped and contorted body positioning, and even worsefalling off the bed entirely.
Thats even more important when you are sleeping with a partner that takes up more than their fair share of the room.
In fact, one study found that 21% of married people say their partner takes up too much of the bed.
That being said, mattresses that are too large can be hard to transport, may not fit through doorways or corridors, and can diminish the open area of the room.
As a result, selecting the right mattress for you can be a bit of a balancing act.
Mattress Sizes by The Beloit Mattress Company
Mattress Firmness Vs Support
There is a clear misunderstanding in the bed industry about perceived firmness and support. Often the two words are used interchangeably. We cant stress enough how these two words have very distinct meanings and are not the same thing.
The support unit of your mattress is nearly always dictated by your weight and height.
This is because spring units are manufactured with certain load or weight tolerances. This means they are made to take a certain amount of weight to load and unload correctly. If you imagine the force you must apply to a standard spring to compress it and then how much force is needed to be removed before it will extend, this sometimes helps understand this principle.
Most people mistakenly confuse the spring tension with how the mattress will feel
Its essential that you know the weight limit that can be applied to the spring to work out if it is going to be suitable for you. Even if you want the firmest mattress possible, a spring that is too firm ie has too wide a gauge for your body weight, will never give you proper support. You will merely rest on the top of it like sleeping on a hardwood floor. The spring units sole purpose is to compress and extend to accommodate your weight, lumps, bumps, elbows and wriggling needs.
Recommended Reading: Can A Casper Mattress Go On A Box Spring
What Position Do You Normally Sleep In At Night
Before mattress shopping, take special note as to what position you sleep in most often. Do a little bit of research on yourself when choosing a mattress. Make sure to note what position you naturally go to when you fall asleep and what position you find yourself waking up in. Waking up in a different position means that is probably the position you spend most of your sleeping hours in therefore, it is also the position youre in the bulk of the night. This will determine what firmness you will need in a mattress.
If you are a side sleeper, you should look into purchasing a plush or medium mattress. You will need the extra comfort layers to provide pressure relief for your hips and shoulders. Generally, people with a curvier figure need the added cushion found in plush mattresses.
If you are a back sleeper, a medium-firm mattress will be a good fit. Medium-firm mattresses are designed to provide the perfect balance between contouring comfort and pushback support.
If you are a stomach sleeper, a firm mattress is your best bet. A firm mattress provides you with the solid surface youll need to reduce back pain caused from spinal compression often associated with this sleep position.
Is A Spring Mattress Better Than Foam
Choosing the best mattress is a highly individual endeavor, and it depends on your sleep position and other preferences, so we cant say whether an innerspring mattress is better than a foam mattress. What we can tell you is that because of their coils, innerspring mattresses are naturally more breathable than foam mattresses . They also tend to offer a bouncier feel than all-foam beds, as well as better edge support. Foam beds, meanwhile, tend to hug the bodyparticularly if theyre made from memory foam. And they provide better pressure relief and motion isolation than innerspring mattresses.
If you like the feeling of sinking into a bed, a foam mattress may suit you best. If you want to feel more held up, opt for the innerspring. And if youre aiming for something between the two, try a hybrid mattress.
Also Check: Purple Mattress Break In Period
Give Yourself Time To Adjust
It can take a few weeks to adjust to a new mattress and determine whether or not it is the one for you. Even an in-store test is not a guarantee of comfort, so plan on giving yourself about a month to bond with your mattress however you buy it.
Since it isnt always easy to know if youve made the right choice when it comes to long-term products like mattresses, this means it is wise to look for a bed that can be returned in a time frame you find reasonable.
Having at least 30 days to return policy can make buying less stressful while helping to ensure you do end up with a comfortable mattress. See how long you have to return and whats involved so you know what to expect. A proper sleep trial usually offers a few months to try out a mattress at home and allows you to return it for a full refund if youre dissatisfied.
What Is A Mattress
This type of mattress was first brought to market in recent years in response to the often eye-watering mark-ups made on mattresses sold in bricks-and-mortar stores.
Mattress-in-a-box is an online only mattress industry. Manufacturers cut out the middleman by selling directly to the consumer, and they deliver compressed mattresses to your door. The mattresses are deoxygenated and enclosed in vacuum-sealed packaging, making it possible to be transported in a box, earning them their nickname. Once opened, the mattresses slowly expand into the full size .
They’re generally cheaper than conventional mattresses, costing around a thousand dollars for a queen-size mattress . Through our testing we’ve found that a mattress that costs $1000 can be just as comfortable and perform just as well over its lifetime as a traditional one priced at $6000.
Mattress-in-a-box beds are usually made of foam or foam-like materials .
These mattresses generally represent good value, although they may not be for everyone as one person’s idea of the perfect comfy mattress may differ from another’s. They tend to use more foam and foam-like materials than spring mattresses, so a mattress-in-a-box may not be for you if you prefer the feel of a traditional spring mattress.
Brands that have had success in this market, and whose products we’ve tested, include Sleeping Duck, Koala, Ecosa and Avatar.
Don’t Miss: Wyoming King Size Mattress
Do You Really Need A New Mattress
Many people change their beds after just a few years, and thats perfectly fine if you can afford it. The fact is, its not a small investment, so take a moment to determine do you really need a new.
Generally, after seven or eight years you will most likely need a new mattress. Of course, it depends on the quality and material . And if you feel back or neck pain it might, your bedding is a good place to start.
More Reading:
Here is the average mattress lifespan in years based on material and type:
How Do I Choose A Mattress By Material
When it comes to choosing a material or mattress type, the important considerations are cost and feel. Obviously, some materials cost more than othersfor example, natural latex foam tends to cost more to produce than memory foam, while memory foam tends to cost more than basic poly-foam does.
Feel is important to think about when it comes to foam and spring mattresses. Foam mattresses tend to hug the body more, while the buoyant coils of a spring mattress keep a person on top of the bed. Which feel is more suitable is largely a matter of personal preference.
Also Check: Casper Bed Box Spring
Buying A Mattress Online
If youre looking for a bargain mattress, one option is to try a few in a shop, before going home to search for the best price online.
Thats what 6% of Which? members did when they bought their last mattress, according to our recent October 2020 quick poll.
Unsurprisingly, given the events of 2020, around 76% responded to say they’d bought online .
Meanwhile, 16% tried a mattress in store before having it delivered to their house.
If you can’t get to the shops at the moment, here are our top tips for buying online:
How Much Does A Good Mattress Cost
A new mattress can cost anywhere between £100 and several thousand.
Factors such as brand, size and the types of material used can all have a significant impact on cost. But, as the graph below shows, our mattress tests have found that you dont need to spend a fortune to get a mattress that will support your spine and last for years.
Also Check: Mattress Firm Return Process
Picking The Right Mattress Size
People often usually have a good grasp on what mattress size they want, but its still worth considering before you buy a new bed. After all, a too-small mattress can only lead to discomfort, while a too-large mattress can leave you with little room for bedroom furniture.
| Size | |
|---|---|
| California King | 72 x 84 |
The simplest way to determine what mattress size is best for you is to ask who is going to sleep on it. Taller people often need a mattress at least 80 inches long, ruling out a traditional twin or full mattress. Some taller sleepers need the added length of a California king size mattress to sleep well.
Single sleepers are usually comfortable on any size, but couples shouldnt sleep on anything smaller than a queen. Children graduating from a crib mattress often move to a twin size or twin XL bed, but some parents treat their children with a full size mattress.
Budget is another factor to consider when it comes to mattress sizes. Naturally, a larger mattress costs more money. If, for example, you and your partner would be perfectly comfortable on a queen size mattress, you might choose that instead of a more expensive king size mattress.
Recapping This Box Spring Alternative
In the world of mattress foundations, ready-to-assemble wood foundations provide the best bang for your buck. When compared to a box spring, they provide more ventilation, last longer, and look better. If you decided to buy one, make sure the wood is made from premium white pine instead of cheaper alternatives. Doing so will protect your investment and make you wonder why you ever even considered a boxspring in the first place!
I recommend wood foundations as the best boxspring alternative for most folks, but if a modern-looking bedroom is extremely important to you, then you may want to keep reading. With a little extra money to spend on a high-quality mattress foundation, you may find exactly what youre looking for in a platform or adjustable bed.
Don’t Miss: Dreamcloud Premier Rest Review
How To Choose A Mattress Complete Buying Guide
If youre looking to buy a new mattress, perhaps the most challenging thing to figure out is where to start. Do you go in-store or shop online? Do you prioritize budget-friendly options or splurge on a fancy model? And what about the size, shape, material make-up, and design? Yeah, its a lot of things to consider, especially if youre bed shopping for the first time. But never fear, Sleepopolis is here!
In this handy guide, I am going to walk you through exactly how to choose the perfect mattress for you. Were going to chat about different types of mattresses, how to determine what feel will work best for your sleep style, and much, much more! By the end, I guarantee that youll know exactly how to find the mattress of your dreams.
Sound like a plan? Then lets get things started!
What To Consider When Choosing A Foundation
Selecting a foundation for your mattress will depend on several factors, the most important of which is your mattress type. Here are a few guidelines:
- For foam and hybrid mattresses, we dont recommend a box spring, since box springs are designed to support innerspring mattresses. Instead, choose a base with solid reinforcement, like a foundation or platform bed.
- A foundation and metal bed frame is an affordable, simple bed set that raises your mattress off the ground, provides extra storage space and works well with most mattress types.
- Consider investing in a platform bed if you like a stylized, decorative, or modern look. This will take the place of the bed frame and the foundation, and there are hundreds of options and styles to choose from at a variety of price points.
- Adjustable bases increase the versatility of your mattress and are a great option if you want to lounge, relax, read, and sleep in your bed.
- If you have an all-foam mattress, which may sleep warm, consider a slatted foundation or slatted platform base to improve airflow.
- Dont discount the size of your mattress. If you have a queen, king, or California king, it will require a foundation that can support its weight, especially in the middle of the mattress. See: Best Mattresses for Adjustable Beds
You May Like: Cancel Casper Order
What Mattress Firmness Should I Choose
Firstly, in the mattress industry, there has to be a precise definition of soft, medium or firm which there isnt. Youll see all sorts of sliding scales and rating but without knowing whats exactly inside that mattress its just a guess.
This is because most of the time the retailers are using the spring tension to explain the relative firmness of the mattress which is incorrect. Most mattress firmness ratings are based on the upholstery layers on top of the spring unit. So when youre looking for a medium-firm mattress you need to be looking at that upholstery as well as the spring tension to work out the right mattress tension.
How Do Adjustable Beds Improve Aches And Pains
Its no secret that raising your head up as you sleep has big benefits for both snoring and sleep apnea. So if you have these problems, keep an eye on adjustable beds because they may just solve your nightly annoyances.
People with lower back pain are typically advised by doctors to invest in an adjustable bed because of the superior support these foundations provide the spinal column. More support for your spine can lead to fewer body aches.
According to Spinal Health, adjustable beds can help relieve a number of back back conditions, including but not limited to degenerative spondylolisthesis, osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis. If you have any of these issues, then please consult a doctor before ordering your new bed.
Newer adjustable models now have unique lumbar support features where the adjustable base helps raise the mattress to support the lumbar area of your lower back. This helps tremendously if you have lower back pain. Truly amazing technology!
Because adjustable beds raise your feet with the push of a button, youll love this mattress foundation if you suffer from foot pain, ankle pain, or even restless leg syndrome.
Raising the bottom section of the base provides a slight incline, which takes pressure off your lower body. Then whenever you desire, you can lower it back down to a flat position.
You May Like: Does The Casper Mattress Need A Boxspring
Learn About Different Mattress Materials
Before you buy, familiarize yourself with the most common mattress types and how they are constructed.
- Innerspring mattresses use coils, which often provide a traditional bounce feel and strong support.
- Latex mattresses typically offer more bounce and responsiveness than innerspring mattresses, and they tend to sleep cooler.
- Memory foam mattresses are designed to contour to the body, which may lead to pressure relief. Some users of memory foam report that the material sleeps warm.
- Hybrid mattresses combine memory foam or latex layers atop an innerspring mattress, often with the goal of providing a mix of softness and support.
- Air mattresses use an air pump to inflate the mattress to the desired firmness level. Typically, each side of the bed uses a separate chamber of air to accommodate two sleepers with differing preferences.
Mattresses are also rated based on firmness. In general, a mattress that is too old or too soft may not support the spine well enough.
Think About Your Budget When Choosing A New Bed
Of course, you should find a mattress that is within your budget you usually dont have to go far outside your means to find a quality mattress.
If youre looking to save a maximum amount of money, opt for a budget mattress around $750 or lower. You can even find a cheap mattress for under $300 if youre looking for a full or twin size. We suggest you , who sells some pretty affordable mattresses at decent quality.
The average mattress tends to around $1,300 or so before discounts, but you can easily find one under $1,000 after applying promo codes . We think there are great value beds in this price range!
For those who want to invest in your perfect mattress, there are plenty of high-end luxury mattresses that we know and love that will give you long lasting durability, with a five-star hotel look and feel.
Don’t Miss: Dreamcloud Mattress Unboxing
