How to Choose the Best Mattress for You

• Determine your preferred sleeping position
• Consider your body type
• Finding the best mattress design
• Assess firmness and support
• Temperature regulation
• Stick to your budget

Quality sleep health is one of the recommended ways to maintain good overall health and wellness. Although overlooked by many, a mattress plays a key role in your ability to sleep well.

Do you wake up feeling tired and stiff? An old mattress may cause neck, back or joint pain, which can lead to poor sleep. Poor sleeping patterns eventually result in increased fatigue and irritability during the day.

If your mattress sags when you get into bed, feels too bouncy, soft or hard, it’s probably time for a replacement. A quality mattress provides ample support and the comfort you need to enjoy a well-deserved rest. With a vast range of mattresses on the market, selecting the right one for you may feel like an overwhelming task. Read on to learn how to choose the best mattress and the important factors to consider.

Are you looking to buy a new mattress soon? You’ll need to consider a few personal characteristics to ensure you pick the right type to place on your bed. Your preferred sleeping position is a key factor because sleeping on a mattress that lacks the correct support for your natural position can contribute to poor sleep and pain. Here are the classifications of sleeping positions:

• Back sleepers: If you mainly sleep on your back, you will need a firm foam or hybrid mattress to align your spine properly.
• Side sleepers: Sleeping on your side exerts pressure on your shoulders and hips. Look for a softer mattress if you prefer side sleeping. This will help cushion your body and relieve pressure.
• Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleeping strains your spine and may lead to back and neck pain. If you lie on your tummy often, consider a mattress and pillow that firmly supports the spine.
• Combination sleepers: Do you change positions throughout the night? Then get a medium-firm mattress for maximum comfort and support or look at hybrid mattresses.

Deciding on a specific mattress type can help you narrow down your search. They come in an array of designs to match your needs. Common types of mattresses include:

• Innerspring mattresses: Once a popular option, the traditional version of these mattresses are harder to find nowadays. They contain steel springs that make them feel bouncy and hard. Some have one continuous coil, while others come with individually pocketed coils. A thin padding prevents the coils from poking out. Modern innerspring models have ample padding for increased comfort.
• Foam mattresses: Some come made entirely from polyurethane foam, which gives them a firm feel. However, memory foam mattresses respond to your body pressure and contour to your shape to relieve pain and add comfort. Open-cell foam has better breathability and lower density than memory foam. Most companies add perforations and gel to create unique combinations of foam that improve airflow and control temperatures.
• Latex foam mattresses: These are cooler than foam and more responsive. Although most are organic and naturally made from plant-based components, avoid these if you are allergic to latex. Latex foam is also more durable than memory foam.
• Hybrid mattresses: Hybrids comprise a coil spring base and layers of latex or foam padding. They offer increased airflow and are usually more expensive.
• Airbeds: Airbeds are inflatable mattresses that you can carry with you on a camping trip or pull out of the closet when guests stay overnight. Most have a padded surface to ensure comfort when sleeping. Since you can deflate them at will, air mattresses allow you to customize firmness as per your needs.
• Waterbed: This water-filled mattress rests firmly in a secure foam or wood frame. You can heat or cool the water to the desired temperature for added comfort.

To fully answer the question, "how to buy mattresses," you need to determine your budget. New mattresses come in a wide range of prices. Factors that affect the price include materials, construction location, mattress type and brand. Although you may not require a luxury mattress, a poorly made cheaper option will probably lead to a lack of quality sleep. A good-quality mattress should last at least 7 to 10 years, making them worthy investments. If you already have bedding for a certain mattress size, it might make sense to stick with that same size of mattress to avoid spending more money.

Other considerations to make when buying mattresses are whether they emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), eco-friendliness, motion isolation and mattress height. Since mattresses have a recommended lifespan, plan to buy a replacement when your current one is 8 years old or older or when you notice your sleep quality declining.

Although selecting the right mattress takes effort and time, it’s worth it because a good night’s sleep maintains and improves overall health and wellness.