Key things to consider before purchasing a mattress
When shopping for a brand new mattress, it is important to opt for a good quality product that helps improve sleep and provides more support to one’s spine. They also relieve pressure points and help one wake up refreshed. But, given the endless options to choose from, it is common for one to feel overwhelmed when purchasing mattresses. Various factors like material, size, thickness, and more can come into play when one shops for mattresses.
Material type
One of the main factors to consider when buying a new mattress is the material used. Most brands make mattresses of these types — foam, latex, innerspring, airbed, and latex. While innerspring mattresses were a popular choice decades back, various alternatives witnessed a surge in demand in recent times.
- Foam : Mattresses of this type are made using foam and devoid of coils. The foam layers give decent support to the body, along with pressure relief. In addition, these mattresses can provide motion isolation, making them an ideal choice for side sleepers. Memory foam is one of the most commonly used materials among foam mattresses.
- Latex : As the name suggests, these mattresses have all layers made out of latex. For this reason, they are also called true-latex mattresses or all-latex mattresses. The latex material enables a highly responsive and bouncy feeling and improves the mattress’s durability. In addition, latex mattresses offer a moderate level of contouring to the body during sleep. For those seeking eco-friendly options, mattresses made of organic and natural latex are worth considering.
- Innerspring : Mattresses with innerspring feature coil-based support systems and multiple layers. The coils offer a fairly good level of support, but they won’t provide any pressure relief. Also, the sleeping surface is much bouncier compared to mattresses made of other materials. Furthermore, motion isolation is quite limited. These types of mattresses tend to be cheaper than their alternatives, making them ideal for shoppers on a budget.
- Hybrid : these mattresses have two basic components — a core support of innerspring and a comfort layer made of foam . Sometimes, manufacturers also replace foam with latex or micro coils in the comfort layer. This combination ensures a balance of support, bounce, and contouring, making them versatile options. Furthermore, such mattresses are designed to lower heat retention, facilitating a cooler sleep experience.
- Adjustable air mattresses : These mattresses come with air chambers inside the cor e. Often, the core is topped with layers of padding or foam. One can inflate or deflate the mattress to adjust its firmness. Most airbeds come with pumps that one can control using a remote or one’s smartphone.
Size
When looking at the size of the mattress, it is important to measure the size of the bed frame and the number of people who will be using it.
- Twin : These measure around 38×75 inches and are suitable for small children or a single adult person
- Twin XL: Measuring about 38×80 inches, these mattresses are suitable for teenagers as well as college students.
- Full/double: The size of this mattress is around 54×75 inches, and it can comfortably accommodate one adult.
- Queen: These mattresses measure about 60×80 inches and have enough space for two individuals to sleep comfortably.
- King : Mattresses of this size can comfortably fit two individuals and measure about 76×80 inches.
- California King: These are the longest mattress variants in the market, and their size is about 72×84 inches. These are suitable for those who require extra legroom.
Firmness
Most brands categorize the firmness of their mattresses as soft, medium, medium-firm, and firm. The most popular among these are medium and medium-firm mattresses since they meet a wide range of customer requirements. When deciding on a fitness level, it is important to consider a person’s sleep position. For example, side sleepers need to have soft to medium-level fitness to avail of the right spine alignment during sleep. Meanwhile, those who sleep on their stomach will find firmer mattresses more comfortable. Mattresses of medium firmness are ideal for back sleepers.
Sleep concerns
Since sleep concerns vary between individuals, addressing such issues before purchasing a mattress can greatly improve comfort and quality of rest.
- Hot sleepers: A mattress with built-in cooling technology may benefit people whose body temperatures tend to rise during sleep. Such mattresses are typically made using breathable and cool-to-touch materials that help maintain the body temperature at comfortable levels.
- Back discomfort: For people experiencing such issues, mattresses that provide pressure relief are suitable. Mattresses of medium fitness are recommended for such individuals as they provide the right balance of comfort and support.