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. However, the overwhelming variety of mattresses available on the market today may make choosing the right one seem like a challenge. 

It can be plain tiresome to navigate the vast variety of materials and specialized 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.

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.

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 there is no magic mattress that 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 is 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” holds true to some degree. Therefore, as a general guideline, you shouldn’t always choose the lowest-priced choice while shopping online. 

Cheap mattresses often aren’t as well-made or comfortable. 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 the firmness level

Keep an open mind and test out a few different firmness levels, even if you already have a good idea of what feels right. Only by lying on a mattress can you accurately judge if it is “firm” or “soft” to you. There is no industry-wide agreement on what constitutes a “soft,” “medium,” or “firm” mattress, just as there is with clothing sizes. 

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 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. Usually, soft to medium firmness levels 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 labeled ” innerspring ” fall into the hybrid category since they have so many 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 molded to the shape of the body, it may be used to alleviate aches and pressure points. However, it is well-known to retain heat, making it uncomfortable for many sleepers.

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.

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

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