After some careful thought and planning, maybe you’ve decided to get rid of your old, sagging mattress and finally purchase a new one. Well, this might be one of the best decisions you are about to make, especially if the mattress you currently have gives you muscle pains and will not allow you to sleep comfortably. If so, then it’s really time to go mattress shopping!
The thought of “shopping” might have gotten you excited, but when it comes to mattresses, it’s not as simple as you thought. Before you can even buy one, you first have to research and know a few mattress basics – especially if you don’t want to experience high-pressure sales, then buy the wrong sort, and end up feeling cheated.
It’s understandable to get quite overwhelmed at first, but good thing this article can come to your rescue. Enumerated below are some of the few things you have to be aware of about mattresses to help you identify and know if it’s the right one for you.
Know the Comfort Levels
The first criteria you have to consider when choosing a mattress is if it can provide you support and comfort. That’s why finding the right level for you in the mattress firmness scale is pretty essential. This scale is usually numbered from one to ten, where the higher the number, the firmer the mattress is.
Softer mattresses (1-4) are ideal for lightweight and side-sleepers, while harder mattresses (7-10) are suitable for heavier individuals and back or stomach-sleepers. Another option would be mattresses with medium firmness since they can go with any kind of sleeper.
Mattresses Have Different Types
Knowing different mattress types is also crucial when looking for the best mattress that can suit your needs. In addition, this can help you identify whether the mattress you are eyeing is made from materials that you are looking for in a mattress. To give you a brief insight about the different types, here are some of them:
- Innerspring – these mattresses have metal coil springs at their core which serve as their support system. As a general rule, the more coil springs it contains, the more the mattress can provide comfort and support. Innerspring beds are also very common among households because it is cheaper.
- Memory Foam – this is a type of foam mattress that contours to the body’s shape once pressure is applied (or when you lie down). They are made from dense, polyurethane material. Since they are soft, they offer pressure relief and support, especially for side-sleepers. One drawback, though, is that they retain heat since they are dense.
- Gel-infused Memory – to address heat retention in memory foams, the latest technology now creates gel-infused memory foams. Here, a kind of gel, either via gel beads or liquid gel, is added to memory foams that help reduce heat build-up. Mattress brands, such as the Zoma Mattress, now incorporate this type in their foam mattresses.
- Hybrid – the hybrid type combines the coil spring feature of innerspring and top layers of comfortable foam. The foam is usually made of memory foam, but some also use latex. This combination has enhanced their ability to provide pressure relief, and therefore comfort and support. On the one hand, they can also be quite expensive.
Consider Your Position
Your sleeping position also has a role to play when you’re looking for your perfect (mattress) match. This is because the comfort level and type will depend on the way you sleep. As said earlier, if you sleep on your sides, you should look for softer mattresses. On the other hand, if you sleep on your back or stomach, flatter and firmer beds are the best way to go as they help keep your spine aligned so you won’t have to wake up with back pain.
Determine the Ideal Size
While some may not think this is an essential consideration, the mattress size is important, too. Before buying a bed, make sure that it fits your bedroom perfectly and that it will not take too much space. Unless you do, you might not have enough space for other things you want to add to your room, such as cabinets or other furniture.
Pick Your Price
Probably the most critical factor that will tell you if the mattress you are interested in buying is “the one” would be if you can afford it. When mattress shopping, it’s best to purchase the one that fits your budget but doesn’t have too low quality.
Due to advances in the industry, most mattresses are now made from top-quality materials but aren’t so expensive, too. The good thing is that you can now purchase most of these mattresses online, so you don’t have to get through the hassle of visiting physical stores.
Takeaway
Indeed, looking for the perfect mattress is not easy, especially if it’s your first time. However, as long as you have enough knowledge about them and you know exactly what you want in a mattress, then you won’t have to worry too much. If you’re still not so confident, you can start by remembering the key mattress points mentioned above.
