Buying a new mattress is a big step! You spend about a third of your whole life sleeping, so you want to make sure you get a mattress that you absolutely love. With so many choices in the mattress industry today, it can be hard to find the exact fit for you. Do you like soft or firm mattresses? Pillow top or memory foam? Queen or King? These are just a few of the questions that run through buyers’ minds when considering this important decision.
Let’s look at five of the top things to consider when buying a new mattress.
Cost
The first thing you should think about when going in to buy a new mattress is how much you’re willing to spend. Depending on what you’re looking for, mattresses can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands. And more expensive doesn’t always mean better. Do a little research to see what the best course of action is with your budget. Also, stay on the lookout for deals and sales as mattress stores regularly give customers discounts.
Style
The next thing you’ll want to consider is style. What size of mattress will fit in your space? Do you prefer a pillow top, a gel foam, or a memory foam? Do you like springs or no springs? There are so many styles of mattresses so before you commit, spend some time going to mattress stores and trying them out. Even if you plan to buy from a direct-to-consumer mattress company, like Loom & Leaf or Casper, you can still try comparable mattresses out in the store to get a feel for what you like (literally!). Here are some of the most common mattress styles:
- Coil mattresses have spring coils inside the mattress to provide support and comfort
- Latex mattresses have a thick layer of latex foam and are known for their cooling properties and responsiveness
- Memory foam mattresses only consist of a thick layer of squishy foam that hold your body’s shape and are known for their pressure relief.
- Hybrid mattresses have a mix of the above and can have multiple layers of latex, coils, memory foam, and pillow tops.
Support
How you sleep will help determine how much support your mattress should have. For example, side sleepers will likely enjoy a softer mattress because it will take the pressure off the shoulders and hips. But back sleepers will benefit from a firmer mattress because firmer mattresses provide more support for the lower back. If you’re a side sleeper and your mattress is too hard, you may wake up with pain in your neck, shoulders, or hips. If you’re a back sleeper and your mattress is too soft, you may wake up with back pain.
In addition to supporting your body, your mattress and pillow should also keep your head and neck aligned. There should be a straight line running along your neck and spine. If your pillow is too high or your mattress is too soft, your neck will end up bending while you sleep, causing head and neck pain.
Temperature Regulation
Another key thing to consider when buying a new mattress is temperature control. If you live in a warmer climate, you don’t want to overheat while sleeping. Additionally, you want to stay nice and warm if you live somewhere where it’s cold. It used to be said that memory foam mattresses slept hot and latex mattresses slept cooler, but most mattresses today have advanced temperature control technology that helps maintain a consistent, comfortable body temperature.
Comfort
Last but certainly not least, you should also prioritize comfort in your new mattress! All of the above tips will help you find the most comfortable mattress for your needs but at the end of the day, whatever feels right to you will be the best pick. Comfort comes down to your preferences, sleeping position, sleeping temperature, and more. Try out a number of mattresses before committing.
Buying a new mattress is exciting and once you find the right one, you’ll enjoy years of quality shut-eye.
