How Do You Find The Right Mattress

What Type Of Mattress Is Best For Side Sleepers

Side sleepers require significant pressure relief on hips, shoulders and knees. The key to this is finding the mattress firmness and material type that will contour to the shape of your body.

Many side sleepers like memory foam mattresses for this feature, but not everyone loves the feeling of sinking into bed. While memory foam can offer significant benefits for a side sleeper, they arent the only option.

Hybrid and latex mattresses offer pressure relief support while keeping your spine aligned all night. If you are a loyal innerspring mattress sleeper, there are still options in that category that also offer enough pressure relief.

Mattress Toppers Will Fix A Sagging Mattress

Mattress toppers are designed to preserve and extend the life of your mattress but will not fix a mattress that is already old and tired.

Hotels often use mattress toppers to soften a firm mattress, but its worth knowing that this doesnt work the other way around. Meaning a soft mattress cant be made more firm with a mattress topper.

How Much Is Too Much

The amount you spend on a mattress is a personal choice based on how much you can afford to spend and what you feel is a reasonable price to pay. A few things to consider:

• The highest price does not always mean the best quality.
• Going with the least expensive option may mean sacrificing durability, eco-friendliness, and sleep quality.
• Aim for a midrange price .

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Watch Out For Gimmicks

While sellers will label mattresses as “orthopedic” or “medically-approved,” there is no medical organization that officially certifies mattresses to carry these labels. Mattresses may have orthopedic-friendly features, but no medical group verifies these claims.

See Considerations When Buying a New Mattress

Here Are Some Guidelines For You:

• Don’t always go with the cheapest option you find This is a rule of thumb for most products you buy online. Spending less than $500 for a queen mattress simply because it means lower durability, more toxins and lower sleep quality in general.
• Higher Price does not mean Higher Quality I bet you know this one, but its worth mentioning.
• Go with $1000 range for Queen size This is usually where you will find the best bang for your buck.
• King / Cal King will cost slightly more I would increase the budget for King and California King to $1400-1500 as you will have many more choices in that range.
• Now that you have your new budget set, Im guessing you are asking yourself what type of mattress is best for me? Lets dig in.

Need more details? Check out our guide to top online mattresses.

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What Are The Best Mattress Types

Each of the five main mattress types offers distinct benefits and disadvantages. The best mattress type for you depends entirely on which mattress qualities matter most to you. If you’re a hot sleeper, for example, then you should seek out a bed with breathable, temperature-regulating components. Those with back pain may need a conforming and pressure-relieving mattress instead.

Since the early 20th century, innersprings have dominated the mattress market. These models still represent the greatest percentage of annual mattress sales in the U.S. Memory foam mattresses that contained high-density foam bases and no springs first appeared in the 1980s airbeds with adjustable air chambers were introduced around the same time.

Over the past decade, online “bed-in-a-box” mattress brands have reshaped how mattresses are bought and sold. These brands represent a more affordable alternative to shopping in a brick-and-mortar mattress store. You can also choose from a wide range of individual bed-in-a-box models that fall into one of the following five categories.

Preferences And Other Considerations

There are other important factors to consider when shopping for a new bed. If you tend to overheat at night, you will want a mattress that can help keep you cool. Latex runs cooler than foam, which is known for retaining heat. Hybrids and innersprings also sleep cooler, since air circulates between the coils. If you really enjoy the feel of foam but find it runs too hot, look for a foam bed that incorporates cooling components such as cooling gel, an aerated composition, or phase change material. Covers made of cotton or cooling fabrics can help regulate temperature, and wool layers wick moisture from your body.

If you with a partner, you may want to consider a mattress with strong motion isolation. This can help reduce sleep disturbances when sleep partners shift in the middle of the night. Many foam beds are highly effective at minimizing motion transfer, while latex beds have a bouncy feel that is less conducive to motion isolation.

Everyone has different priorities when it comes to finding an ideal mattress. Eco-conscious shoppers may prefer beds made with organic materials. People who sleep close to the edge of the bed might want a mattress with good edge support. Shoppers who are new to purchasing mattresses online may appreciate a bed with a long sleep trial. Figuring out your individual needs will go a long way toward finding the perfect mattress, so take our mattress quiz to get started on your search.

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Choose Your Ideal Type And Material

Ok, so this is where most people will go with their personal preference rather than anything else. If someone says latex is the best, I would not take this as final until I read other opinions and test it myself.

Want to know more? Head over to our complete mattress types guide.

And here are the most common options on the market these days:

What Makes The Ghostbed Stand Out

• If youre a back sleeper who likes something firmer, the GhostBed could also be a great match.
• Its a very durable mattress that comes at a great value price.
• The GhostBed is also one of the coolest-sleeping mattresses around. Its topped with a polyester cover that is thin, breathable, and cool to the touch. Underneath, you have aerated latex foam for the comfort layer.

Read our full GhostBed mattress review.

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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:

Decide On A Type Of Mattress

There are lots of different kinds out there with super-confusing terminology , but here are three main ones you should know: Innerspring, memory and latex. Innerspring mattresses are made from individually wrapped coils and offer high levels of support and breathability . Memory foam mattresses are made from moldable material that will contour to your shapeperfect for relieving aches but can get pretty warm at night. And latex foam is both breathable and supportive , plus its hypoallergenic. You can choose one of these types or opt for a hybrid.

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What To Look For In A Mattress

If youve done any research on mattresses already, youve probably noticed that the mattress industry has its very own lingo with words like responsiveness and motion transfer. While they might seem like fluff words, theyre actually important factors to consider when choosing a mattress thats going to best meet your needs.

Well give you a breakdown of these key mattress features in plain old English to help you understand why these are so critical when finding the best mattress. Comfort and support are two of the main factors to consider when looking at a new mattress, so its important to note that sometimes you wont be able to realize how well a mattress performs on these factors until you try it out for a few nights. So if youre not sure what mattress is best for you, make sure to invest in a mattress with a risk-free trial period. Other important factors include spine alignment, pressure relief, shipping and return policies, and the firmness level. You can learn more about each of these features and how we score them while we are testing a mattresss performance in Our Review Process article.

What Is Mattress Firmness

Obviously, the first thing youd like to account for is the essence of the characteristic. Believe it or not, there is a lot of misconception out there amongst potential mattress buyers. They tend to believe that mattress firmness ratings and support are the same things.

While the former directly correlates with the latter and they are mutually dependent, theres a difference. The firmness of the bed is its hardness, put in a very simple way. Is it soft or is it hard? Thats the type of question that you need to ask yourself. It’s subjective and different sleepers will have a different feel.

However, this has become a critical characteristic, and its an important metric which is accounted for by every buyer. After all, it determines the overall level of comfort as well as the support that the entire thing is going to offer. Have in mind that mattress size shouldn’t impact your overall firmness feel.

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What’s My Sleeping Position

Your sleeping position whether youre a side sleeper, back sleeper or stomach sleeper plays a huge factor in the type of mattress you should choose. Explore the different sleeping styles below. And if you want to find your perfect mattress quickly take our comfort guide quiz by simply answering questions about your sleeping habits and preferences, and we’ll recommend the best mattress, pillow, and duvet for your needs!

Trial Warranty And Return Policy

Even if a thousand people love a mattress, it doesnt mean you will too. Everyones body is different, therefore youre going to respond to your mattress differently. Before you buy your mattress, make sure you pay attention to the trial period you have, whats covered under your mattress warranty, and the return policy. Most of our favorite mattresses come with a very generous trial period, warranty policy and hassle-free returns.

You should also try to give your mattress at least 30 days to break it in and see if its right for you before you kick it to the curb. For reference, most online mattress companies offer a trial period of 100 nights or more.

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The Right Pillows For Stomach

More than almost any other type of sleeper, those who sleep primarily on their stomachs have the most to gain from effective pillow use. As Dr. Poorbaugh points out, its not just about focusing on the pillow that goes under your head , but getting creative with the ones you use along the rest of your body.

To mitigate the risk of stomach-sleeping for articular pain in the shoulder or spine, the best option is to utilize proper pillow support, he says. Pillows should be placed under the pelvis and shoulders to maintain neutral spine postures and avoid impingement of the shoulder.

Research from the Mayo Clinic supports this idea, indicating that the only sure way to ensure proper support for stomach sleepers is to nestle a flat pillow directly under the pelvis. The goal is to manufacture a lift, creating a neutral position for sound sleeping.

Not exactly sure what kind of pillow to go with? Ourbedding expert Sarah breaks it down like this:

• The goal is to find a pillow with a lower loft and an overall softer firmness level.
• Stay on the lookout for soft, short, and compressible pillows that wont exert too much control over your posture.

Learn more by checking out her round-up of the absolutebest pillows for stomach sleepers.

Does It Cradle Or Cushion You The Way You Want It To

If you like a mattress top to conform to your body, youll probably prefer a memory-foam mattress or a foam-forward hybrid. If you want to feel more held up by the mattress, go for an innerspring. These can feel quite plush with a pillow top or Euro top and still let you move more freely. Many innerspring mattresses also have just enough foam in the upper layers to provide cushioning without dampening the effect of the coils too much. A mattress made of latexa springier type of foam formulated from the sap of a rubber treecan feel somewhere in between a memory-foam and an innerspring mattress.

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Tuft & Needle Hybrid Mattress

Best overall

Constructed of alternating layers of foam and coils, this new high-end hybrid has taken the best features of the brands popular Original Mattress and upped the comfort level, pressure relief, airflow, and edge support, making it our top choice. Its praised by back, side, and stomach sleepers alike, who appreciate its Goldilocks-like balance between firm and soft.

As one reviewer writes, When someone gets in/out of bed, you dont feel a shift or sink down in the mattress sleep is undisturbed. Add to the comfort with one of these plush down comforters.

Pros:

How To Choose A Mattress Topper

If your budget cant accommodate a new mattress, you can consider a mattress topper as an alternative. This approach wont be as effective or long-lasting, but it can be a useful step if replacing your current mattress isnt an option.

A topper sits on top of your current bed and goes underneath the fitted sheet. It can change the feel of your mattress and is most useful if your main focus is on adjusting the firmness level. Some toppers may be able to add contouring, motion isolation, or bounce in relation to your old bed as well.

Most toppers are one to four inches thick and made with only one material. Examples of materials used in toppers include memory foam, polyfoam, latex, down, cotton, polyester, and wool. Each of these materials brings certain benefits and downsides.

To choose a mattress topper, its useful to reflect on many of the same elements that play a part in choosing a new mattress:

• Your sleeping position
• The type of material that best suits your needs
• Your budget

When reviewing those factors in the context of mattress toppers, make sure to think about your existing mattress because it will work along with the topper to affect the overall feel of your bed. For example, if you have a bouncy innerspring, be aware that it will still transfer motion even with a memory foam topper.

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Whats The Lifespan Of A Mattress

Every eight years is the optimal timeframe for replacing a mattress.

Its likely you remember your parentsor even your grandparentstelling you a mattress needs to be replaced about every decade. But even though the warranty may last that long, the reality is it needs to be swapped out soonerabout every eight years, says Megan Anderson, product marketing manager at Mattress Firm.

Your mattress is like a giant sponge, she says. It absorbs body oil, sweat, dead skin cells, dust mites, and more over time. These often cause the comfort layers at the top of the mattress to deteriorate much faster over time, so you want to replace yours to maintain the maximum level of comfort and mattress health.

If you notice a substantial amount of sagging, lopsided-ness, or tearing, those are other indicators that your mattress is no longer providing enough support, Anderson says. Another sign: waking up with aches and pains or having challenges falling asleep because you cant get comfortable.

In general, the way people develop pain and discomfort, or more chronic injuries, a lot of times has to do with our posture, says Dr. Jessalynn Adam, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with Orthopedics and Joint Replacement of Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. Just like you would develop pain from poor posture after hunching over a computer all day, if you spend a lot of time sleeping in an unsupported position, you might develop pain or another health issue.

What Mattress Do You Need If You Suffer From Joint Or Back Pain

A good mattress needs to give both support and comfort and that includes ones for those who suffer from back problems.

Although a firm mattress is recommended by some retailers, you should always look for a mattress that keeps your back aligned while sleeping and relieves pressure points along your spine and joints. This has a lot to do with your weight , so its best to try a mattress before you buy many online retailers now offer a trial period where you can return the mattress and get your money back if you dont think its right for you.

The pillow you use will also affect your sleeping position and back alignment so make sure you pick one that suits your needs. Take a look at our pillow reviews to find out more.

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How And When To Replace Your Mattress

• A longer warranty may not promise a certain lifespan. if you read the fine print. If the mattress is stained because you didn’t use a mattress protector, or if you don’t use a matching foundation beneath the mattress, it could invalidate the warranty.
• Mattresses last five to 10 years as a general rule. However, you should decide when it’s time to replace your mattress based off of other warning signs. Are you waking up sore? Is your mattress feeling lumpy? Do you sleep better on other mattresses, like at a hotel? These are all signs that its time to go shopping. Don’t forget to extend the life of your new pad by using a mattress protector, which can keep out keep out dust, allergens, spills, and other hazards.