How Old Is Your Mattress
This is the very first question you need to answer. Why? Well, the age of your mattress can play a big role in determining whether or not you need a new one. As a general rule of thumb, youll want to start thinking about getting a new bed if youve had your old one for over 8 years. This isnt a set standard by any means, but is usually a good benchmark for checking in with your mattress and figuring out whether its still doing its job re: Lulling you to sleep!
For a quick primer on the typical expiration dates for different mattress materials, check out the graphic below:
While these numbers are helpful in contextualizing the lifespan of your mattress, the best way to determine whether or not its time to boot the old gal is to listen to your body. Are you waking up with new pains in the morning? Do you have trouble finding a comfortable position at night? Have you noticed any new dips in your mattress that cant be fixed by rotating it regularly? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to bid adieu to your bed.
A Word About Natural Fiber Mattresses
A natural fiber mattress is perfect for those who have allergies or those who want to decrease their carbon footprint. It is crafted with fewer chemicals, and it is long-lasting. Some of the most popular options for natural fiber mattresses are:
- Organic cotton, which can last up to 15 years
- Organic wool, it has an elastic material that works great in regulating temperature
- Coconut coir, which provides a buoyant quality
- Bamboo, a material that is easily renewed
- Latex, harvested from rubber trees and it is fire-resistant
Understand Your Body Preferences
Some mattresses are designed to accommodate particular sleeping postures. So before purchasing a mattress do ask yourself whether youre a side, back or stomach sleeper.
Secondly, some people have mobility issues. If you buy a memory foam mattress you might face a problem of getting up from the bed.
Equally important is to measure yourself and your partner for height, and have an idea about how much sprawl space you enjoy. For most couples, queen size mattresses are quite comfortable, although if youre six feet tall, a King size mattress might be better.
Always remember to buy the mattress first and then the bed. Generally, people purchase their beds first and then they think to buy a mattress which, of course, restricts their choices and they have to adjust with what they have got.
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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.
What Is The Return Policy
Most online mattresses come with a free trial period of about 100 days or so, if you buy it directly from the company. You might be required to try a mattress for 30 days before you can initiate a return, though. Third-party retailers, such as Amazon, department stores, and mattress stores, might have their own rules, whether you purchased the mattress online or in a brick-and-mortar store.
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Best Hybrid Mattress Reviews & Comparisons For Top 8 Products
Katie Harris Transparency Disclosure We may receive a referral fee for products purchased through the links on our site…Read more here
Memory foam enthusiasts often love the comfort and contouring the material provides yet crave the bounce and cooling that coils or latex brings. Recent updates in mattress technology have yielded hybrid models, offering consumers a solution, combining the best of both worlds. This clever combination lets you drift off atop the comfort of memory foam without overheating or bottoming out.
The big question most people ask is: Are hybrid mattresses worth the extra cost?
Check The Guarantee/warranty On Your Mattress
Make sure you know what your rights are if there’s a problem with your mattress. Most guarantees for mattresses won’t cover gradual wear and tear, which leads to loss of support.
You should also check whether theres anything in particular, such as removing labels or using a base other than a recommended one, that would invalidate the guarantee.
Recommended Reading: Purple Mattress Recycle
Budgeting For A New Bed
In the Better Sleep Council surveys and in past Consumer Reports surveys as well, the price often proves a point of confusion for shoppers.
There is no magic price that you should spend, but the average price people pay for a new mattress ranges between $800 to $1500 according to different sources. Buying a very expensive mattress is no guarantee of comfort, and there are well-rated beds in cheaper price ranges as well.
Rather than aiming to spend a specific price, set a ceiling that makes sense for your budget and then contrast the specifications for mattresses within that range. Look for options that match your list of preferences and that have good quality and reviews compared to other options in the price range.
If you want to maximize your chances of picking up a high-quality mattress at a discount, try online mattress stores. Brick-and-mortar stores usually have more costs to meet and often raise their mattresss prices to cover expenses. Online retailers have relatively fewer expenses and tend to pass the savings onto the customer.
Ask For Recommendations Online
Announce on your social media accounts that you are looking for a new mattress, and ask friends and family members to post their suggestions. Consider including details about your health condition, as some people might have a similar experience and can give more specific recommendations. You could also visit Spine-healths and ask people who are in a similar situation as you.
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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.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Memory Foam Mattresses
People have fallen in love with memory foam mattresses primarily because theyre affordable and conformable. The material yields to a sleepers body within seconds, supporting all the bodys curves and providing excellent amounts of comfort. Most shoppers can afford a memory foam mattress, with the average queen size memory foam mattress costing around $1000.
What keeps many people from sleeping on a memory foam mattress is heat retention. Traditional memory foam was a dense material, absorbing heat faster than it releases it. However, many mattress manufacturers have added heat-wicking materials like graphite and copper to increase heat dispersion. At Amerisleep, we made a more breathable material by substituting select ingredients with plant-based alternatives.
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Different Types Of Mattresses
The following are the various kinds of mattresses that you can find on the market. Each mattress type has unique qualities and materials, as well as advantages and drawbacks. While personal preference is key to choosing a mattress, the different materials associated with making a mattress are an important factor in determining the overall comfort level, quality, and durability.
Why Trust The Slumber Yard
Great question that we commend you for asking. Weve been helping people choose the best mattress for them for years now, reviewed hundreds of mattresses, and have looked to our sleep experts to give thousands of people sleeping tips. Take a look at our About Us page to find out more about our team, and our methods behind the madness!
Hopefully the piece above helped you understand how to choose a mattress, and our extensive research made it less complex. Make sure to try the mattress finder quiz above if you havent yet!
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How To Choose A Crib Mattress
There are several essential elements of choosing a crib mattress. Any crib mattress purchase should start first and foremost with safety. Key aspects of crib mattress safety include:
- Choosing a firm crib mattress as this can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome .
- Keeping the mattress clear of soft objects, including toys, blankets, and pillows. Loose and soft items can pose a risk of suffocation and SIDS and should not be kept in an infants crib.
Beyond safety, there are other factors to review that relate to the convenience and usability of a crib 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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When Is The Best Time To Buy A Mattress
Buying a new mattress is a big investment, and the best time to buy is obviously when the prices are discounted the most. Luckily, those times come at fairly predictable and frequent times throughout the year for many mattress brands and retail stores.
While not every company will always participate in these major sales, theres a good chance you can find a great mattress deal around these holidays:
- Black Friday
- Labor Day
- New Years
Keep in mind that most mattress sales start up to a week before the holiday and can extend up to a week after the holiday.
You can also expect to save on mattresses around different company events, like grand opening sales, liquidation sales, moving sales and anniversary sales. These arent as predictable so its something to keep an eye out for.
If youre in the market for a new mattress, you might want to sign up for a few company newsletters to get alerts about sales and discounts. You can always unsubscribe later!
Hint: We always consolidate the best mattress sales for our readers on our coupons page.
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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Bed In A Box Vs Retail
Though traditional mattress stores and furniture stores selling beds still do good business, bed-in-a-box online brands are thriving and new and more innovative choices are cropping up every day, enticing potential customers away from brick and mortar shops.
It may be more comfortable for you to shop in-store because youd prefer to speak face-to-face with a person about which brand works best for you. However, many people are intimidated by salespeople, many of whom work on commission and are motivated to sell higher-priced items when upgrades may not be necessary. Almost all boxed brands have online chat functions that allow you to talk with reps about the product, many of whom do not work for commission.
Additionally, exclusive side sleepers typically have highly specific pressure relief needs, and they may feel its better to make sure that a product properly aligns their spine and soothes their pressure points before purchasing. To address this, online companies offer generous trials that let you try the mattress at home, and you may have a better idea after a few nights than from 15 minutes in a store.
Get More Info:Top Picks for Boxed Mattresses
Pressure Relief And Body Contouring
Generally speaking, foam mattresses provide the best pressure relief and body contouring.
If you desire pain relief at key pressure points, look for a mattress that gently conforms to your body when you lie down. This allows for your hips and shoulders to sink in slightly.
A memory foam mattress offers the most pressure relief, but hybrids with foam layers may also work well.
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Make Note Of What You Want First
Mattress preferences tend to be quite individual so when looking for your perfect match, the number one consideration is you!
Before you even start shopping, it can be very helpful to make a list of what you want in a bed in order to better focus your search. Dont forget to include your partner in this also, if applicable.
Here are a few good questions to ask yourself:
- What do I like most about my current mattress ?
- What do I like least about my current mattress ?
- What type of surface do I usually sleep best on? Hard as the floor, soft as possible, just enough softness, etc?
- What are my must-haves for my next mattress?
- What am I interested in trying or researching?
- What are my biggest concerns or questions when I start browsing?
- How long do I expect to use my next bed?
- Do any accessories also need to be replaced?
These answers help you get a better idea of what to look for. Some may seem obvious, but writing your preferences down and brainstorming really is useful, especially later on when you are trying to narrow down the field of potential candidates.
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.
Number of Best Buy mattresses by price
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See our list of the best cheap mattresses and the best mattress deals for 2021.
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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
How Do I Choose The Best Mattress For Me
The best method for choosing a mattress is a lot like shopping for a car. You need to test drive them. A store that has multiple models on display are the best places to start. An important part of the decision-making process is to narrow your choices down to two or three. If you keep moving from mattress to mattress youll only confuse yourself, so its best to go with your first impressions on a favorite few. Dont be afraid to put your whole body onto the mattress and get comfortable. The sales staff wont mind because they know its the only way youll know if the bed suits you or not.
Take your time. Lay for a few minutes to get a better idea of how it might feel to sleep on it. Some mattresses can feel good at first, but after awhile it might start to feel too hard or too soft. If you will be sharing your bed with another person, then its best to have that person with you. You should both lay on the same bed and see how it feels with two people. Roll over and move around, pay close attention to how much movement you feel and if this might bother you while youre sleeping. Test driving a mattress means putting it through the paces of everyday use.
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