How To Choose A Mattress in 5 Super Easy Steps

*Collaborative Post

A decent mattress is essential to a restful night’s sleep, making it one of the most crucial purchases you can make for your home… And for you. However, the overwhelming variety of mattresses available on the market today may make choosing the right one seem like a challenge. 

It can be quite tiresome to navigate the wide variety of materials and specialised terminology, go through all the sizes and characteristics and work out how much you should spend. We got tired just by reading this sentence. However, to rest well, you’ll need a mattress that’s top-of-the-line. Read on to find out more on how to choose a mattress that will be ideal for your needs.

1. Read Online Reviews

No one is born with magic mattress knowledge which means that it can be especially hard to figure out which mattress will suit you perfectly but as luck would have it, the experts at the Anatomy of Sleep have conducted rigorous testing to determine the optimal mattress for each and every kind of sleeper. Click here to find the reviews of mattresses by many manufacturers and of various specifications. Over the years, they’ve reviewed hundreds of different models. Keep in mind that no mattress will work for everyone. It’s crucial to consider your specific sleeping style and preferences.

2. Know Your Budget

As with any big purchase, setting a spending limit when shopping for a new mattress is essential. The good news is that there are a wide variety of mattresses available at various pricing points, so you should be able to find one you’ll enjoy that’s within your budget.

However, with mattresses, “you get what you pay for” does tend to ring true, therefore, as a general guideline, you shouldn’t always choose the lowest-priced choice while shopping online. Cheap mattresses often aren’t as well-constructed or as comfortable as higher-priced ones are. Contrarily, you don’t have to spend thousands on a luxurious bed to rest well. Great alternatives that don’t break the bank are plenty.

3. Consider Size and The Firmness Level

If you are also looking to upgrade your bed you may want to take some time to consider what size bed and mattress you would prefer to opt for. A double bed is one of the most popular choices but perhaps it is time to upgrade to a king or possibly a super king size to get an optimum night’s sleep. These larger beds will provide you and your partner with far more space, allowing for a dreamy, undisturbed sleep. It is also ideal for parents who co-sleep or if you have little ones who love to bundle in for morning cuddles. So, before you stick with what you already take some time to consider all your options and take a good look around at what king and super-king mattresses are available.

Your next consideration will need to be the firmness level that will suit you. Keep an open mind and if you have time, head to a local shop to test out a few different mattress firmness levels. Only by lying on a mattress can you accurately judge what is the best choice.

Remember that various people sometimes define stiffness differently when you browse online and read reviews. When shopping in-store for a particular brand you prefer, try the firmest version available, then go progressively softer until you hit the firmness level you like.

If you’re shopping online, make sure to check multiple mattress reviews. Don’t only rely on one person’s opinion.

4. Know How You Sleep

Are you usually on your side? Or, are you most comfortable on your stomach? Different sleepers will have distinct requirements for mattresses. 

Side sleepers are the most common and soft to medium firmness levels usually work best with this position since they will align your spine. Too firm of a mattress may put too much strain on your shoulders. 

If you prefer sleeping on your stomach, you’ll like a more firm mattress, while medium fitness mattresses are recommended to those who sleep on their back. Those who switch between multiple positions during the night best benefit from a medium-firm mattress. 

5. Type of Mattress

You can start limiting your options if you know what kind of mattress you’re looking for. A range of possibilities are open to you: innerspring, memory foam, latex and hybrid mattresses. 

Innerspring mattresses are firmer, and we bet you have slept on these for much of your life. The innerspring mattress was formerly a common and affordable choice, but it is now more difficult to obtain. Most modern mattresses labelled ” innerspring ” fall into the hybrid category since they now have extra layers of padding on top of the springs.

Many foam mattresses have a layer of polyurethane foam as their base. For a more affordable price, you may get mattresses constructed completely of this foam, giving them a more solid feel than the popular memory foam. As a rule, open-cell foam is more breathable and lighter in weight than memory foam.

Since memory foam can be moulded to the shape of the body, it may be used to alleviate aches and pressure points.

Avoid latex mattresses if you suffer from a latex allergy. Other sleepers, however, may find them cooler and more comfortable than memory foam. Consider a latex mattress if you sleep hot or switch sleeping positions frequently. They provide the softness of foam without the claustrophobia that often comes with it.

Coil springs provide the foundation of a hybrid mattress, then topped with a comfort layer of latex or foam. Many feel that this sweet spot is between solid support and soft comfort. There is a great range of hybrids available over on the Simba website.

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.