What Mattress Is Right For You

Is The Edge Sturdy Enough For You

If you like to sit on the edge of your bed, youll likely want a mattress with dedicated edge support. Innerspring mattresses are typically constructed with a high-density foam encasement or stiffer coils around the perimeter. Even though some people may prefer the feel of the foam encasement, it could soften slightly over time. If you sit on the side of your bed a lot, you may want to consider a mattress that uses stiffer coils around the edge, which will probably prove more durable. The edge support in foam-forward hybrids and foam mattresses typically depends on the density of the foam in the support layers. So you cant assume a mattress will have good edge support without trying it out for yourself. Both the Tempur-Adapt and the Leesa Hybrid, two of the picks in our guide to the best hybrid mattresses, have foams that are at least 4 pounds per cubic foot and thus offer strong edge support.

Why Is It Called A California King

A Los Angeles furniture company started making these big beds for extravagant celebrity homes in the early 1960s. It caught on throughout the rest of the country, except other mattress makers decided to make a bed that was shorter and wider than the California kingby doing this, they could simply put two XL twin box springs together to support the mattress. They called it the king sized mattress, and because it was more practical and easier to make, it was the more popular of the two for a long time.

Ideal Room Size For A Full Bed

Full mattresses are much better for smaller master bedrooms and bigger kids rooms than twins since they are wider and will not leave these rooms appearing vacant. The full is 4.5 feet wide, and 6.25 feet extended.

You may set it into a room as little as 8.5 by 8 ft, but this will not leave you some room for extra furnishings such as a dresser or vanity. If you would like to add such furnishings, then expect to require a space of 8 by 10 feet.

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Should You Buy A Mattress

There are some advantages to buying your mattress-in-a-box online. As well as being a cheaper, and much more convenient, almost all brands let you assess the mattress after purchasing. If you don’t like it you can return it for a refund making the purchase more or less risk free, and there’s no pressure to buy.

Stores, meanwhile, involve a lot more pressure. Sales people hover, you’re unlikely to get more than five minutes on the bed before they come back to bother you. You can’t change your mind once it’s used, there’s generally no trial period and our test results found that sales practices are often on the shady side .

That said, you can only try before you buy in-store. Sure, mattress-in-a-box brands have a trial period but sending it back can be a big hassle. Also, stores offer a much larger range from multiple brands under one roof which makes direct comparison much easier,and they typically stock multiple materials and builds such as spring, memory foam and latex. You have a clearly defined point of return if something is faulty and, most importantly, you can haggle.

Online-only mattress-in-a-box brands require a lot of consumer faith. You have to hope the product lives up to its claims and there’s no way to try it without laying down your hard earned cash. Plus, most mattress-in-a-box models are made of foam, with very few spring or hybrid options around. If foam isn’t your thing, then you’re options are very limited.

When You Should Get A New Mattress

If youre not getting a good nights sleep, if youre waking with aches and pains, or if youre just not comfortable in bed, it may be time to get a new mattress. Think about where youre hurtingif you wake up with shoulder or back pain, or hip, knee, or other joint pain, your mattress may not be properly cushioned or supportive for you. Also, if your current mattress sags visibly or has a permanent indent in the shape of your body, its likely time for a new one. And if you find that you sleep better away from home , thats another red flag.

If you consistently wake up with neck pain, your pillow might be the culprit.

Now, before you plunk down hundreds or thousands of dollars, youll want to rule out a couple of things. If youre plagued by neck pain, your pillow might be the culprit, and you may want to consult our guide to the best bed pillows. And if you have a new supportive mattress that just doesnt feel cushy or soft enough, you may be able to improve it by adding a good mattress topper.

Simple ways to make your bed more comfortable

• After 300 hours sleeping on 17 models, weve chosen four memory-foam, latex, and fiber-filled mattress toppers that we think will work for most sleepers.

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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.

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.

Top 12 Tips For Buying A New Mattress

With so many mattress options to choose from, buying a new one can be overwhelming. This is especially true if you have back or neck painthe right or wrong mattress can make the difference between spending the day feeling good or in pain.

While choosing a mattress is ultimately a matter of personal preference, here are some tips to keep in mind:

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How Firm Should A Mattress Be

It all comes down to your preferred sleeping position:

Firm: If you sleep on your stomach, a firm mattress will keep your spine aligned.

Medium: If you sleep on your back, it’ll provide support for your spine, back and neck while keeping you comfortable.

Soft: Great for sleeping on your side because it’ll support and contour your body’s curves.

But be warned: we’ve found that most retailers’ firmness claims don’t match the bed being sold. We do body support and stability tests when we test mattresses, so check out our mattress reviews to see what we found.

If you’re a side sleeper, a soft mattress will support your body’s curves.

Hybrid Vs Memory Foam

The main thing here, and the reason that a lot of people go with the former is that memory foam on its own is not very responsive and the traditional kind can be quite hot to sleep on it is known for retaining a lot of heat. A hybrid, on the other hand, helps addresses these issues with airflow while maintaining the excellent contouring properties of the foam.

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Will I Stay Cool

If you get a properly combined hybrid bed, you should stay cool. An abundance of people want to sleep on nice and contouring memory foam mattress, but the traditional stuff has a serious heat retention issue it doesnt allow a lot of air to pass through it and, as such, it is common to wake up sweating through the middle of the night. A combination of foam and coils or foam and latex should help to make you sleep cooler than the majority of pure foam beds.

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How To Choose A Mattress For A Child

Good sleep is vital for children. Kids need more hours of sleep than adults, and sleeping well is important during all stages of childhood development. Outfitting their bed with a quality mattress is a central part of making sure that children get the sleep that they need.

Knowing how to choose a mattress for a child has quite a bit of overlap with choosing a mattress for an adult, but there are meaningful differences to take into account.

One key difference is that safety is a greater concern when shopping for beds for children, especially infants who sleep in cribs. Assuring that the mattress meets safety guidelines is of the utmost importance.

Another difference is the size of the bed. Unlike adults, children can outgrow a bed, so it is necessary to think about the most appropriate size mattress based on a childs age and their expected growth.

Depending on how old a child is, they may be able to use a smaller size of a bed designed for adults. In other cases, parents may prefer a mattress built specifically for children. Choosing from the pool of beds available to adults means a wider selection of mattress types, models, and brands.

The cost of a mattress for kids can be another point of divergence. Many beds for kids are smaller and thinner, and the reduced amount of materials can make them less expensive. However, there are some beds for children that are designed with lots of extra features and can carry a price tag similar to that of an adult mattress.

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How To Buy A Soft Mattress

Theres no tried-and-true formula to finding the best mattress, because mattresses preferences are subjective its an inexact science. Ive learned that you should try as many mattresses as you can to see what feels best. Luckily, many online mattress companies offer free trial periods that can last three months or longer, so youll have plenty of time to break one in and feel out whether it fits your needs.

Generally speaking, find mattresses online that seem to match your preferences and then look for at least a 90-night free trial and 10-year warranty. Also, check to see if the return policy seems like a pain some brands require that you donate the mattress yourself or that you keep the mattress for a certain number of days before returning.

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.

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What Is The Best Month To Purchase A Mattress

Many mattress retailers offer deep discounts around Presidents Day, which is celebrated annually on the third Monday in February. You can usually find some good mattress deals around Memorial Day and Labor Day, and sometimes around the Fourth of July. Generally speaking, you may see a few decent price drops during holiday shopping events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but they likely wont be the best deals of the year. We track deals on all of our mattress recommendations year-round.

How Mattress Firmness Is Measured

Firmness levels are typically rated on a scale of 1-10, and the vast majority of beds offer a firmness level between a 4 and a 7, as this is what tends to be comfortable for most individuals. You can find products softer or firmer than these ratings however, they often require a special order.

When you’re reading reviews, keep in mind that firmness is subjective, and the plush nature of a bed can feel unique to various individuals. However, at Sleep Advisor, we try our best to keep our ratings consistent to help our readers can dream in comfort.

Interested in learning more? Check out our mattress firmness guide here.

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What Is A Twin Size Mattress

The twin size is popular for its compact size and is the smallest mattress size on the market for adults. This is why it is commonly used in childrens bedrooms, especially for bunk beds to save floor space in the room. However, it can also be suitable for a teenager or an average size adult and so can be used in a guest room. The mattresss compact size makes it easy to move around and consumes less space. But if youre tall, or need extra sleeping space, this may not be the mattress for you.

There is also the twin XL size which is the same dimensions as the twin size but is 5 inches longer than a twin size. And so, this makes it a suitable option for tall adults.

It is also commonly used in college dorms because of its comfortable size, as dorm rooms are usually small and wouldnt fit a queen size bed. You can also put two twin XL mattresses together for a king size mattress. Check out our twin vs twin xl guide to know more about the difference and benefits.

Does It Keep You Cool Or Warm Enough

If you sleep hot, you should probably avoid foam mattresses, which are notorious for trapping heat. Innerspring mattresses tend to be more breathable because body heat moves from the surface through the spaces in the coils and disperses out to the room. If youre a hot sleeper but you prefer the feeling of foam, look for foam hybrids or innersprings quilted with a foam topper. Many foam mattresses tout materials designed to allow for varying levels of heat transfer, such as foam with air channels or gel, copper, or graphite infusions. But be aware that they usually cost more and wont work for everyone, and the effects can be minimal. Mattresses made of latex sleep cooler and feel springier than those made of memory foam.

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Take The Right Steps To Buy A Better Mattress And Get Yourself A Good Night’s Sleep

Few things come down to personal preference more than choosing a mattress. What can feel like a cloud to one person can be back pain in the making for another. What makes the decision even harder is the sheer range of options, with mattresses available in practically every budget and type you can think of.

From new-age bed-in-a-box mattresses to the more traditional, feels-like-it-weighs-a-tonne pocket-sprung alternatives only found in specialist bed shops, youve got a lot of choice. The good news is that weve done the work to ensure that the decision making process is as easy as possible. Read on for our guide on how to choose a mattress.

And when youre finished here, be sure to check out our guide to the best mattress types, where we have weighed up the pros and cons of sprung and foam mattresses.

How To Find The Best Soft Mattress For Great Sleep In 2022

Select is editorially independent. Our editors selected these deals and items because we think you will enjoy them at these prices. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.

Medium-firm mattresses are all the rage these days, but softer mattresses still have their place especially if you experience uncomfortable pressure points. And given that we sleep for a third of our lives, getting a mattress that works for you is an important investment for your comfort and health.

In a past life, I was a sleep writer for another e-commerce publication, and I spent many hours sleeping on mattresses, learning about mattress materials and constructions and uncovering which mattresses, in general terms, work for different people. But, to guide you on how to shop for a soft mattress , we also spoke with several other experts about how we sleep. Then we rounded up highly rated soft mattresses that we think you should consider in your search.

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Our 8 Hybrid Mattresses Reviewed

Editors Choice

• Best for Back, Stomach, and Side Sleepers
• Firmness Level: 6.5/10
• 120-Night Trial

The WinkBed is handcrafted using high-quality materials for a luxury feel. Its layers include 8-inch pocketed coils and different types of foam for both pressure relief and support. The overall effect is a bed that looks and feels as luxurious as it sounds.

The Tencel cover is soft and wicks moisture away quickly, helping foster a dry sleeping environment. The coil unit helps move air through the bed and the gel foam inside the EuroTop is yet another cooling measure.

What makes it special?

• Each WinkBed is constructed by hand using innovative and eco-friendly materials from the USA. From the Eucalyptus derived TENCEL cover to the innerspring unit with zone and edge support, youll find premium quality in every layer.
• The WinkBed has four firmness options Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plush. The companys most popular selection is their Luxury Firm model, that offers the best balance of contouring comfort and pushback support.

Read More: Our In-depth Winkbed mattress review.

Budget Choice

• Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Bed
• Best for Back and Stomach Sleepers
• Firmness Level: 7/10

Allswell is a hybrid that offers high-level features at an entry-level price. With foam-coil technology and a slightly firm feel, this bed has all the qualities of a luxury brand without the big-ticket price tag.

Want more details? Check out our full Allswell mattress review.

Heavier People