Common Myths About Mattresses
Theres a ton of misinformation out in the world about mattresses, and were here to debunk those myths. Here are a few common myths about mattresses and the truth behind them.
Myth: You cant buy a mattress without lying on it first.
The largest difference people point out between buying a mattress online vs. in-stores is that fact that you cant lie on it first to test it out. In reality most online mattress retailers offer a generous risk-free trial period.
If you decide the mattress isnt right for you in that time window, you can typically return it for a full refund. Lying on a mattress for 10 minutes in a store wont show you how well you can really sleep on the mattress anyways since it can take up to 30 days to fully break in a mattress.
Myth: The best mattress should accommodate all types of sleepers.
Everyone has individual preferences and needs. It would be impossible for one mattress to be a universal bed to appeal to all types of sleepers. The best mattress is the one thats best suited to your individual needs.
Myth: Gel memory foam beds are ideal for hot sleepers.
While memory foam mattresses infused with gel are cooler than all-foam beds, they still arent the greatest choice for hot sleepers. Innerspring or hybrid beds would be the best choice for hot sleepers, because the coils leave more room for air to flow through.
Myth: The more expensive the mattress, the better quality it is.
Myth: All mattresses require a box spring.
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.
Dreamfoam Chill Memory Foam Mattress
The DreamFoam Chill is an affordable all-foam mattress available in five heights: 6″, 8″, 10″, 12″ and 14″ versions. The firmness level varies per height, with thicker versions feeling softer.
If youre a budget shopper, the DreamFoam Chill could be your perfect mattress, ranging from about $199 for a Twin to $449 for a King in the 6 versionswhich brings us to height. Interestingly, this bed comes in five thickness options from 6 to 14. Keep in mind that all these layers are foam, which are not cool to the touch. If you are a hot sleeper, you might like to add the coolingDreamFoam Chill Mattress Topper.
As to firmness, the 10 mattress has more of a medium feel, while the thinner models feel firmer, and the thicker versions are softer. Wed recommend the DreamFoam Chill for lightweight and average-weight sleepers, but it might not be firm and supportive enough for heavyweight folks . Regardless, we think the foam layers should keep most side sleepers and back sleepers supported and comfortable. Perhaps the mattresss best feature is the 2.5 comfort layer made of gel foam, which keeps delicate joints feeling cradled.
See our DreamFoam Chill Mattress Review for more information.
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Types Of King Size Mattresses
A bigger mattress can solve issues of disturbances like snoring, turning, tossing, and cover-stealing from a partner. If youve decided that a King bed is what you need, youll need to decide on the exact type of mattress youre after. Here are the details and dimensions of the most common King size mattresses.
King
One size larger than a Queen, a traditionally sized King provides sleepers with an additional 16 of width. A standard King measures 76 x 80.
Eastern King
An Eastern King is simply a synonym for a standard King, and it also measures 76 x 80.
California King
The only difference between a California King and a standard/Eastern King is in the width and length. California Kings measure 72 x 84, so theyre best for especially tall individuals and those who enjoy extra space.
Split King
A Split King, otherwise known as a Dual King mattress, comes in two pieces rather than one. Each piece is roughly the same size as a Twin mattress. Creating a King bed out of two separate mattresses allows each partner to customize their firmness level or position , while still sharing closeness with their partner.
King Size Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses have two big things going for them: breathability and responsiveness. Constructed without thick layers of foam or latex, these beds have excellent air flow. Responsiveness refers to how easy a bed is to move around on, and if youve ever bounced around on a steel coil bed, then you know how springy they can be. If you tend to sleep hot or switch positions often, then an innerspring King mattress may be right for you.
If these factors, check out our best innerspring mattress list.
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The Best Firm And Springy Mattresses
The tester: Steven John, Strategist contributor
How I sleep: Chest down, with one arm under a pillow thats under my head and one leg bent 90 degrees at the knee .
What to know: What sets the Bear Hybrid Mattress apart from Bears OG mattress is alayer of dozens of individually wrapped coils or springs in addition to its four layers of foam. These coils, which comprise the Bear Hybrids thickest layer, compress to accommodate thicker parts of your body, like your shoulders and hips, and allow for ideal spinal alignment and reduction of pressure points. The coils also allow for superior heat transfer away from your body because they create pockets of empty space. Because the coil layer allows the Bear Hybrid to effectively map to any body, it is a great mattress for people who prefer different levels of firmness to share. Like the Bear Original Mattress, the hybrid has a top layer made with Celliant fibers woven into the quilting . Many studies support the stuff, but Im still on the fence.
The tl dr: If you want to fall asleep fast, this mattress is worth the price. Its multiple foam layers provide custom comfort, while the coils offer support contoured to various body types and create space for excess body heat to flow into. The jury may still be out on whether the Celliant topper actually helps restore muscle and joint health, but its definitely soft and inviting.
The tester: Louis
The tester: Anthony Rotunno, Strategist senior editor
The tester: Margaret
Your Body Weight And The Right Firmness For You
Like sleep positions, your body weight is an important factor when choosing a new mattress. People who weigh less than 130 pounds often prefer softer mattresses because they dont receive enough cushioning or body contouring from firmer models. Those who weigh 130 to 230 pounds tend to prefer mid-range firmness levels that provide a balance of conforming and support. Sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds need more support to prevent them from sinking too deeply into their sleep surface, so a firmer feel is usually most suitable.
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Tips For Picking The Best Mattress
Best Price Match Protection: Mattress Warehouse
Mattress Warehouse has served the sleep community since 1989. Shop one of their 250+ locations rated A+ from the Better Business Bureau. Mattress Warehouse has impressive customer benefits, including a generous one-year Price Match Guarantee. If a local competitor offers your mattress at a lower price, Mattress Warehouse will match the price plus an additional 50% of the difference within 365 days of your purchase.
Take advantage of bedMATCH®, Mattress Warehouses patented identification system, programmed to assess your sleep style, sleep needs, and body type to identify the best mattress for you. Free white glove delivery is available for qualifying purchases.
Brands Mattress Warehouse offers: Aireloom, Beautyrest, Bedgear, Cheswick Manor, Comfort Essentials, Kingsdown, Mattress 2.0, Nectar, Royal, Sealy, Serta, Somosbeds, Stearns and Foster, Tempur-Pedic, and the Mattress Warehouse Value Collection.
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Which Is Better: Memory Foam Or Spring Mattresses
Theres no one-size-fits-all answer to whether memory foam or spring mattresses are better. They both have pros and cons. Memory foam is excellent at contouring your body, providing pressure relief and isolating motion. Memory foam also has a sinking feeling that makes you feel like youre settling into the mattress, rather lying on top of it. Some people like that and some dont. One downside to memory foam is that it can trap heat, so if youre a hot sleeper, you may need additional cooling technology or a hybrid mattress.
Spring mattresses are bouncier than memory foam and dont offer the same motion isolation, but you dont sink into them. If you prefer the feeling of lying on top of your mattress and you sleep alone, youll probably like a spring mattress better than memory foam. Spring mattresses also have better air circulation so they dont trap heat as much, and they tend to offer more edge-to-edge support.
If youre torn on which type of mattress you should get, a hybrid modelwhich combines memory foam with springsis probably your best bet.
Which Mattress Is Best For Back Pain
There are many underlying causes of back pain but if your mattress is the culprit, its likely because it isnt providing the proper support for your body, which results in a misalignment of your spine. The key to correcting the issue to get a new mattress that has adequate support.
As a general rule, memory foam and latex are considered the best options for back pain since they contour your body, alleviate pressure points and keep your spine aligned. But the best mattress for back pain also depends on how you sleep. If youre a back sleeper, you need something thats on the medium to medium-firm side. If youre a side sleeper, a plusher mattress with a little more give is necessary for waking up pain-free and making sure you feel your best.
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When Is The Best Time To Buy A New Mattress
There are cheap mattress deals all year round – leading mattress maker Nectar, for example, has been running its best-ever mattress offer for over a year now. However, certain months to tend to have bigger discounts than others.
The lowest prices of the year generally appear in November, in the form of Black Friday mattress deals and Cyber Monday mattress deals, and in February, during the Presidents Day mattress sales. The latter is when people slowly start spending again following the January lull, and retailers look to stoke interest with strong offers and prices that are often as low as Black Friday.
The Memorial Day mattress sales are another key time to buy a new mattress, as retailers look to make way for newer models launching over the summer by discounting older stock. For the sheer volume and variety of discounted mattresses, it’s as good as Black Friday – but we’ve noticed prices don’t always dip quite as low. You might see the same discount advertised – $200 off, say – but the price may have quietly gone up by $100, so while the mattress is still cheaper than its previous full price, you’d have saved more if you bought it in November or February.
The same can be said of the and Labor Day mattress sales: discounts typically match those offered during other major holidays, but many of the actual prices aren’t quite the lowest of the year. They’re generally still good deals though, and worth grabbing if you need a new mattress.
Consider Body Size And Preferences
In addition to the above, you should also consider bodyweight and heat dissipation.
“Individuals concerned about their weight and weight-related complications should speak to their medical provider when considering a mattress, said Peña-Hernández. “Overweight individuals should consider a thicker mattress of at least 12 inches thick or more. Thinner mattresses won’t provide you with the support you need. Coil mattresses also provide a more durable construction.”
Softer mattresses are generally better for petite individuals since lighter individuals don’t sink into beds as far. Breus also notes that as people get older, they would benefit from a softer bed to address pain issues. “As we age, our skin gets thinner, which means less cushion.”
Firm mattresses aren’t necessarily more supportive. Instead, support is based on how well the bed cradles your body and allows your spine to relax. Since different parts of your body push down more on a mattress, such as the hips and shoulders, mattresses that offer zoned support in these areas tend to be more comfortable to a broader range of individuals. These beds also tend to cost more as the construction is more specialized.
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Mattress Jargon Buster: Key Terms Explained
If theres one thing mattress manufacturers love, its jargon. From motion isolation to reinforced edge support, youll see specific terms and phrases pop up across multiple brands, but what does they all mean? Lets break it all down
Adjustable base compatibility the degree to which a mattress can be elevated or bent into an upright position on top of an adjustable bed base.
Antimicrobial materials usually cotton, fiber or foam that has been treated to prevent the growth of dust mites, bacteria and fungi.
Certified organic applies to mattress materials that are organic and Global Organic Textile Standards certified.
Coils / coil springs wires, formed in the shape of spirals, usually found in the support layer of an innerspring or hybrid mattress.
Comfort layers these live at the top of the mattress and are responsible for how comfy the mattress feels when you lie on it.
Cushioning depth this measures how far you sink into the mattress and how much it conforms to your body.
Ease of repositioning how well the mattress supports you when youre moving into a new sleeping position.
Firmness used to describe the compression resistance of a mattress, and also how soft or hard the surface is when you lie on it.
Hypoallergenic mattresses made from materials that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Youll see this term used a lot on natural and organic mattresses.
Recovery time the speed with the mattress returns to its normal shape after being compressed.
Should You Consider A More Expensive Mattress
Beware that if you go the cheaper route and purchase a lower quality mattress, you put yourself at risk for a number of negative physical symptoms. These include low back pain, joint pain, waking up achy, and sleep loss that can lead to memory issues, increased blood pressure, weight gain, and depression.
Our best advice is to take yoursleep trial period seriously and pay attention to how your body adjusts to the new mattress. Is it supportive enough? Does it wear out easily? Does it limit motion transfer enough? Is there enough edge support? Is your sleep suffering from being on the mattress? Most brands give you an average of 100 nights to try the bed out, so take it seriously and pay attention to how your sleep changes as a result of sleeping on the mattress.
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Best Mattresses For Back Pain
People who have back pain need to pay particular attention to keeping their spines aligned. Research suggests that back-pain sufferers who slept on medium-firm mattresses felt more comfortable than those who didnt. The fluffier-topped foam mattress is on the medium end of medium-firm, while the flat-topped Tempur-Adapt is on the firmer side. For a more supple feel , try the innerspring Charles P. Rogers Estate SE or the all-latex Zenhaven both are two-sided, with one side being medium-firm and the other a bit firmer. Our guide to the best mattresses for back pain includes more recommendations.
Our pick
