Introduction
Ask any shopaholic and they will tell you that selecting the best mattress has surprisingly become one of the most challenging shopping tasks. Most average users utilize a mattress more than their car, therefore they want to be 100 % certain about its worth and quality. The major types of mattresses like foam, hybrid, and innerspring have no doubt facilitated customers with ease and comfort but very few customers can differentiate between these types and understand their benefits.
The recent buying trends show that innerspring and hybrid are the most famous amongst users as they are easy especially when it comes to changing positions. Foam mattresses are good as well but they restrict movement and sink more easily compared to other types.
Long gone are the days when the department and specialty stores were the sole retailers of mattresses. The advent of online shopping and its continuous progress has opened ways for countless independent retailers to provide good quality mattresses and that also at reasonable prices. Smart mattress shopping has become possible with year-round online promotional deals which means that the wait for special sales is over.
As a potential buyer, you might choose your next mattress based on reviews. However, reviews are not of much use for mattresses because reviews tend to generalize a product whereas, the actual comfort and convenience of a mattress depend mainly on personal preferences.
Another reason which downplays the importance of reviews is the fact that most review sites are biased towards the major mattress retailers, hence their entire content is solely designed on convincing you to buy so that they can earn their commission.
If you are overwhelmed with the never-ending variety and claims of mattress companies, then our well-designed buying guide will help you in making a wise mattress choice. A common service provided by every online retailer is that they give customers an initial trial period therefore so that they can test the mattress thoroughly. Don't worry about the return policy as online sellers generously accept their product back if it doesn't suit you.
Keep in mind to select a mattress with a 100 day trial period and strong guarantee deals. We have highlighted other helpful buying tips for you in this inclusive guide which is non-brand specific so that you can find the perfect mattress.
Mattress Types
Latex Mattress
As a material, latex is pretty similar to memory foam as it also helps in relieving pressure, however, it does have some distinct features which make it stand. Let’s start with the main difference which is that latex is naturally bouncier than the slow responding memory foam. Latex itself is either manufactured from natural material or synthetic compounds.
Latex serves as the ultimate savior for people with allergic and sensitive skin issues as it is made to be hypoallergenic and can fight away things like mites and molds.
Additionally, latex mattresses are widely recognized as durable and cool mattresses. The final takeaway of this section is to let you know that a latex mattress will cater to all of your needs by providing you with the optimum level of comfort.
Foam Mattress
The flexible and adaptable features of memory foams are a result of their viscoelastic quality, thus you will notice that this mattress changes its shape but maintains the original authentic structure after use. Unlike an innerspring mattress, a memory foam mattress does not have that extra bounce rather it slowly responds to pressure.
Another unique feature of a memory foam mattress is that it evenly distributes your help and can successfully help in healing aches and pains. Memory foam has a surprising benefit for light sleepers and that is its ability to reduce motion. Whether it's you or your sleeping partner-a memory foam quickly reduces the motion of the unwanted toss and turns so that you can enjoy a peaceful sleep.
As you will lie on a memory foam mattress, you will notice that it quickly takes you in and creates the notorious hot sleeping effect. To tackle this issue, modern mattress companies have paired this mattress with unique cooing technology like cooling gel.
Hybrid Mattress
If you want benefits like the support of a strong coil system combined with the soothing comfort of latex/memory foam then a hybrid mattress is exactly what you need. These mattresses do not meet the bounce feature like an innerspring mattress and it has less of the bounce factor. However, the latex or memory foam topping the springs allows it to cancel out the disturbance caused by unwanted movements during sleep.
The coils installed in these mattresses act as a firm base preventing the sleeper from sinking in and thus it produces a fairly cool effect. Since hybrid mattresses contain coils and foam or latex, hence they are heavier and are comparatively difficult to move.
These mattresses are ideal for people who want to experience the durability of a firm coil system and the comfort of a responsive bed.
Innerspring Mattress
Innerspring mattresses are classic and traditional in their design and structure. These foams consist of steel coils that have been added to them in various configurations. Usually, the hybrid version has at least one or even more layers of foam covering the top of the springs.
Generally, with these foams, shifting positions is easier and simpler, however, if the mattress has fewer foam layers then it can cause some problems for your sleeping partner. Different models of this mattress come with special features like a pillow-top layer or infused gel.
Adjustable Air Mattress
These modern mattresses let you design them according to your needs and requirements. By using an electric pump, you can easily inflate this type and give it the desired firmness. Many of these mattresses give you the option to inflate the individual halves so that each sleep partner can enjoy the comfort of a mattress of their preference.
We would recommend that once you have inflated it, you and your partner should try it out by laying on it for 15 minutes. This will let you judge the firmness of the mattress, just remember, an extra firm mattress will cause pain to your heaviest points, whereas a super soft mattress will create numbness.
Don't try to adjust the mattress at night as the pump is noisy and can create discomfort for you. A word of advice, don’t inflate the foam to its fullest capacity as it retains heat.
Myth: The More Coil, The Better
Many users believe that the more coils a mattress has, the better it is in performance. This is a myth that tends to dominate the buying decisions of most customers. Most good-quality innerspring mattresses have 600 to 1000 coils. However, even if one mattress has more coils it does not guarantee that it is better than the rest as there is a high chance that those coils might be made of thinner gauge material.
Myth: Gel Provides A Cooler Sleep
The majority of the innerspring mattress models have a gel-infused foam layer which is claimed to create a special cooling effect. These claims do not hold to be true for all innerspring mattresses as 10 % of these mattresses do tend to retain heat and warmth.
Our research and tests have proven that some of these mattresses are slightly cooler because of the gel infused foam layer but the same cannot be said for other gel-infused foam beds.
Forget Comparison Shopping
You might be planning to take a little help from comparison shopping so that you can select the best mattress easily. Let us gently break the bad news to you, it's of no use.
It is very common that customers like one mattress at a store and search for a similar model at different stores however, all such searches turn out to be disappointing as in the end the customers are redirected to the same brand of mattresses. The reason for this is that when mattress companies are selling their products through chains like Macy’s or Mattress Firm, their items become exclusive to those chains. Additionally, there are no directories offered by manufacturers that could facilitate the comparison shopping option.
The best way to test a mattress
According to experts, the best way for testing a mattress is to try it out by lying down on it for a minimum of 5 to 10 minutes. Lying down simply doesn't make a difference, therefore it is suggested to test it through both supine and prone lying positions. This procedure does tend to get a bit awkward for customers when they are buying a mattress in-store as the pushy salespeople give little to no room for privacy. By selecting a mattress through online services you get the opportunity to conveniently put the mattress through a rigorous trial test period.
Don't be bullied into buying box spring
A lot of brands provide full guarantee deals for mattresses on the condition that customers buy their box spring. While this does sound a tempting offer, you can save a good amount of money (roughly 150-300$ for a queen-size) as it turns out that you actually might not need one spring box. Many foam manufacturers suggest using a platform base or strong slatted wood foundations as cheap alternatives to box spring.
Box springs were a ‘must-have’ for the traditional innerspring mattresses. The progress of technology has successfully modernized mattresses and now customers have multiple forms of mattresses to choose from including hybrid and memory foam.
It is important to understand that the decision of getting a box spring solely depends on the type of mattress you get and the kind of support you require for it. An uninformed decision in this matter can not only cost you money but also damage the quality of your mattress.
A box spring is needed:
● For an old innerspring mattress with a traditional metal-rail bed frame.
● If the manufacturer suggests getting one for the validity of the warranty(check terms and conditions)
A box spring is not needed:
● For newer memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattress.
● If you plan on using the mattress directly on the floor
● If you do have alternatives such as an adjustable base or a solid foundation
To be honest, the easily available alternatives have made the necessity of box springs completely redundant. The most important thing is to have solid support under your mattress and for that, you have multiple options to choose from.
Price Pptions
There is no set price structure for mattresses and they are available in various price ranges. Mattresses are priced somewhere between a minimum of 200$ to over 5000$. A lot of factors like durability, material, and height contribute to the overall price scheme of a mattress. However, expensive beds tend to outperform the cheaper ones.
Innerspring mattresses utilize a bed of coils as the main element of support, but the shape, quality, design of these coils varies greatly. These mattresses are widely known as the most traditional form of the mattress and are generally covered with upholstery materials like fabric or foam. Not all, but some of the innerspring mattresses consist of two layers of coils rather than one.
These mattresses are most beneficial for people who are a little overweight as their firm core doesn't snag easily. For people who want to bring that extra bounce to their firm bed-an an innerspring mattress is the best product to get.
There is no doubt that these mattresses are the most affordable when it comes to prices but with insufficient padding, these mattresses quickly become uncomfortable. This factor is the major reason why hybrid mattresses are experiencing a continuous high in popularity and fame amongst users. Hybrid mattresses provide a versatile level of comfort along with the convenience of innerspring coils.
How much does each mattress type cost?
Among the various factors, the type of material used in a mattress majorly determines the cost of a mattress. We have mentioned the most common materials along with their prices:
Innerspring: These mattresses usually cost between 700$ and 1200$, and have an average price of 950$ for a queen bed.
Latex: On average, a latex bed costs between 1500-2500$. However, the most common price is 2000$ for a queen bed.
Memory Foam: Memory foam beds cost something between 600 to 1200$, and a queen bed has an average price of 900$.
Hybrid: The cost of a Hybrid mattress ranges between 1200 and 2000$ and the average price is 1650$ for a queen bed.
What impacts the cost of each mattress type?
Countless factors influence the overall price scheme of a mattress. Below we have discussed the most important factors according to each mattress type so you can have a better idea about their distinct qualities:
Innerspring mattress cost factors
Durability: Durability is one significant factor that greatly impacts the final price of an innerspring mattress. Cheap models unfortunately are good to use for three to five years, whereas the pricier models will last you longer.
Coil count: Usually the expensive innerspring mattresses have a surprisingly high coil count but that always doesn’t guarantee better performance and better quality. Ideally, you should try to buy a mattress with a coil count of 300 for full beds, 400 for a queen bed, and 480 for a king bed.
Coil gauge: Coil gauge is a term used to describe the thickness of the mattress coils. High gauge coils are thinner in design and have a softer and springier feel to them whereas, low gauge coils are durable as they are thicker and create that firm pushback effect.
Pocketed coils: some innerspring mattresses consist of pocketed coils. Pocketed coils refer to fabric-wrapped coils and help control motion transfer and noise. Due to these benefits-a mattresses with pocketed coils are pricier than regular innerspring beds.
Latex mattress cost factors
Natural vs synthetic latex: the type of latex used in latex mattresses is one crucial element used for determining its price. Natural latex which is made from rubber trees is pricier for manufacturers to utilize in the production of mattresses and thus such mattresses are expensive. Synthetic latex being man-made is more affordable.
Manufacturing process: There are two common procedures i.e Dunlop process and the Talalay process which are used for the manufacturing of synthetic latex. Latex processed through the Dunlop procedure is ideal for support layers as it is heavier and denser. However, the latex produced through the Talalay procedure enhances the cushioning effect and is expensive. Some latex mattresses are a combination of both Dunlop and Talalay latex.
Numbers of layers used: Multiple layers fill up a latex mattress and the number of layers used impacts the price of the mattress. A mattress with more layers costs more than one that has fewer layers.
Memory foam cost factors
Type of foam used: The price of a memory foam mattress is mainly decided by the type of foam used in it. Polyfoam is generally used in budget-friendly mattresses however it does not guarantee durability and high quality. Mattresses with unique features like cooling gel or copper infusion generally cost a lot more.
Foam density: Mattresses with denser foams cost extra bucks as these foams tend to increase the durability of the mattress. On the other hand, low-density foams do attract a lot of attention with their affordable price tag, but they score pretty low when it comes to durability.
Airflow: mattresses that are available in the egg-crate-shaped design have better airflow and are therefore pricier than regular memory foam mattresses.
Understand the warranty
One of the biggest selling points of a mattress is that it comes with warranty deals. However, as a customer, you must understand the nuances of these deals. These warranty deals cover a period of 10 to 25 years. Any damages caused to the mattress by the customer through mishandling are not included in these deals. The warranty packages make the manufacturer responsible solely for manufacturing defects and faults like loose or broken wires. One hidden aspect of these warranty deals is that they are prorated and hence their value decreases with time.
When to replace your mattress
According to SleepFoundation.org, it is time to get rid of your good old mattress when you encounter problems if;
● It keeps negatively affecting your sleep
● It is damaged or saggy in certain parts
● It makes more noise than it should
● You sleep much better when you sleep at a friend’s house or a hotel
● Your allergies increase
● You wake up regularly with joint stiffness or muscle pain
● Your bed is over 8 years old