What to Look for in a New Mattress
It’s not an easy task to pick out the perfect mattress for delivering the kind of comfortable and enjoyable rest you need. In addition, you’ll have to dispose of the previous mattress after you’ve selected the appropriate new mattress for you. On top of that, there are at least several dozen types, manufacturers, and sizes to choose from. That makes it extremely important to have a procedure in mind when you’re going about choosing a new mattress.
Decide on a budget
There are options available for you to select a mattress anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars. You can also get a good deal on a new mattress when you purchase on Black Friday or some other discount period. The thing to remember when deciding on a budget is that you shouldn’t always choose the cheapest option. You can spend less than $500 for a queen mattress, but more than likely you’ll have a product which has lower durability, and provides lower sleep quality.
By the same token, a higher price doesn’t always indicate greater quality. All this being so, keep in mind that as a rule of thumb, when you’re purchasing a queen size mattress, something in the range of $1,000 will generally get you the best deal. If you are looking for a king size mattress, you can increase that amount to $1,500 and count on getting a very good product.
Type and material
The most common mattress type you’ll find in the marketplace today are those with a innersprings, i.e. coils, and while this type is less popular now than it formerly was, it will still provide some noteworthy benefits. First of all, it’s affordable and you can count on it lasting for decades. Spring mattresses will also retain their shape for quite a long time, and they allow for very good circulation of air. This air flow tends to keep the temperature down so you can sleep more comfortably.
A latex mattress is known for its considerable cooling qualities, and it’s comfort during a night’s sleep. It also has very good responsiveness and bounce to it. The two types of latex mattresses are natural latex, which will be a bit more expensive, and synthetic latex which is made of polymers and is less expensive. Memory foam mattresses have become extremely popular, because they provide superior comfort, and great support for your whole body. They will also conform to the contours of your body when you lay down on them, and when you get off the bed, they regain their original form.
A hybrid mattress is one which combines the traditional spring technology with memory foam. Since this theoretically delivers the best of both worlds, you can count on the excellent support of springs plus the natural contour and lack of motion transfer that memory foam delivers. There are also adjustable mattresses which can change the sleeping position depending on your preference, so you can find the most comfortable position. These are often preferred by people who have lower back pain, or those who simply wish to be a bit elevated so as to avoid snoring.
Firmness
Everyone sleeps in a slightly different manner each night, either on your side, your stomach, or your back. Regardless of your sleeping position, you’ll have to consider which type of mattress is most comfortable and what the ideal level of firmness of that mattress should be. Someone who typically sleeps on their back will probably need extra firmness and support, because a softer mattress will probably allow your body to sink in and that will trigger back pain. Something in the seven to nine firmness range would be ideal.
If you’re a side sleeper, you’re better off going with a bit softer firmness, which can provide for an equal pressure distribution while sleeping on your side. Typically, side sleepers choose a firmness level between three and six, which equates to the medium firmness range. Stomach sleepers generally require something in the medium to medium-firm range, because it’s very important to get equal weight distribution when sleeping on your stomach. Fortunately, the majority of mattresses come in this exact range, so you’ll have the widest variety of mattresses to choose from.
