The Best Mattress

Mattresses

The best mattress for you will largely depend on your personal preferences and sleeping habits. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a new mattress.

First, think about the firmness of the mattress. If you prefer a softer mattress, look for one with a lower coil count. If you prefer a firmer mattress, look for one with a higher coil count. Or you may favor a more medium-firm mattress.

Second, think about the size of the mattress. If you share a bed with a partner, you'll want to get a queen or king-sized mattress. If you sleep alone, a twin or full-sized mattress will be big enough.

Third, think about the features you want. If you want a mattress with storage capabilities, you'll need to get a box spring or a platform bed. If you want a mattress that's hypoallergenic, you'll need one made of natural materials.

Do your homework to buy the best mattress for you. It’s an investment in your sleep health for the next decade.

Health Benefits of a Good Mattress

There are many reasons why sleep is important to humans. It's during this period of time when your cells recharge and your brain rests from the rigors of the day. Basically, everything in your body gets some much-needed downtime.

People who sleep less than seven hours a night are more likely to be overweight or obese. The average person spends about one-third of their life sleeping. This means that they spend seven to nine hours every day, 365 days per year in bed. 

Clearly, if a person is not sleeping well they are spending a significant portion of their life doing something that is making them tired, irritable, and unhealthy.

Sleep deprivation has been linked with a number of health concerns, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. 

In addition, those who don't get enough sleep are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and their mental performance suffers as well.

Take a close look at your mattress and bedding. How old is it? Is the foundation of your sleep environment providing you with all of the support and comfort you need?

The first step to improving sleep quality is choosing the best mattress for you. A good mattress compliments your sleeping habits and is paired with a high-quality bed frame, which can be the difference between waking up feeling refreshed or exhausted. 

The second step is by creating a comfortable sleeping environment with proper bedding to ensure you maximize the full health benefits and get a good night’s rest. 

Good sleep is priceless!

Features of a Best Mattress

Sleeping Position

Which sleeping position best describes you will heavily influence which mattress type is best suited to your needs and will enhance your sleep experience. 

Are you a back, side, stomach, or combination sleeper?

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers seek a mattress that provides support for the spine and helps to preserve the natural curve of the back whilst sleeping. 

Look for a mattress that is highly responsive and maintains the natural S-curve of the back and maintains the head and neck alignment.

Side Sleepers

Require a mattress that provides more support in the neck, shoulder, and hip area and promotes spinal alignment, to avoid issues with neck and back pain. 

Look for a mattress with a responsive comfort layer.

Stomach Sleepers

Support is crucial for stomach sleepers to keep their spine aligned. The correct support can minimize the pressure in the lower back region and ensure the hips are on an even surface and don’t sink too deeply into the mattress. 

Contouring relieves pressure points in areas such as the hips for stomach sleepers. Memory foam and latex mattresses are best for contouring.

Combination Sleepers

Mattresses that have a high level of responsiveness are ideal for combination sleepers. 

Look for a  responsive mattress that adjusts in proportion to weight and pressure and will mold to the body in various different positions.

Temperature

Different materials have different heat retention properties. On the hotter end of the temperature gauge, you have the traditional foam mattresses. If you prefer to sleep at a cooler temperature then you need to opt for gel, latex, or innerspring or hybrid mattresses, which offer greater air circulation and an overall much cooler sleeping experience.

Weight

Large or heavy-set people tend to experience more sinkage due to the pressure caused by weight, resulting in them needing a thicker and firmer mattress. 

A 12-inch or thicker mattress with advanced foam might be a good bet to offer a combination of comfort and support. Better to avoid cheaper options and pay for quality and sufficient foundation here. 

A high-caliber foam mattress or innerspring/foam hybrid mattress would be a top pick for you. Lighter sleepers should seek softer mattresses.

Material

So what mattress type should you consider in terms of mattress material and complimenting your bed frame? Look no further, we’ve broken the criteria down for you:

Foam

Two options: Either pure polyfoam which compresses under pressure or a combination of high-density polyfoam, as the supportive base combined with a memory foam layer that molds a sleeper’s body.

Latex

Latex has become hugely popular in the past several years due to its comfort, cooling, and durable properties.

Two main types:

• Natural - This comes in either Dunlop form, where the latex is dense, sturdy, and heavy latex or Talalay form producing latex that is softer and bouncier. It's expensive but eco-friendly.
• Synthetic - Created by mixing natural tree sap with synthetic polymers is a cheaper option but less environmentally friendly.

Innerspring

Steel coils support a comfort layer of polyfoam. Innerspring mattresses provide cooling, edge support, and durability. 

You could consider a hybrid mattress, which combines coils with other types of materials, such as memory foam or latex.

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress is where two or more materials have been combined. An example would be a mattress with pocketed coils for support, and a few inches of latex or memory foam for comfort.

Airbed

Airbeds are inflated to reach the desired level of firmness, to provide a robust substructure. 

Size

Most mattresses are available in six standard sizes. So what size is right for you:

• Twin: (Dimensions - 38 inches x 75 inches), this mattress is also called a single mattress. It’s the smallest mattress available. This is a good option for a child or a single adult.
• Twin XL: (Dimensions - 38 inches x 80 inches), this mattress sleeps one child or adult, with the same width as a twin and five more inches in length. A good option for a single adult or a taller child. 
• Full/Double: (Dimensions - 54 inches x 75 inches), this mattress provides more width, but the same length as the twin. An ideal choice for a single sleeper with a spacious bedroom.
• Queen: (Dimensions - 60 inches x 80 inches), this is the most common mattress size, as it can accommodate two adults. Ideal for couples with a spacious bedroom.
• King: (Dimensions - 76 inches x 80 inches), a king mattress offers space for two sleepers, as though they each have their own twin mattress. Ideal for two adults, with extra room for a pet or a child. 
• California King: (Dimensions - 72 inches x 84 inches), is the king of all mattresses and ideal for taller sleepers, or two adults, with extra room for a pet or a child, or perfect just for a couple who desire extra space to spread out.

Firmness

Ever notice how a mattress feels when you lie on it? Well, that's the test of how firm it is. Go for a firmer mattress if you want the mattress to not ‘give’ and offer resistance, or push-back when depressed. 

On the other hand, a softer and less firm mattress will provide more ‘give’ and allow the body to sink down slightly. 

Or do you prefer a more medium-firm feel, providing you with a balance of the two spectrums?

How firm or soft you go is a personal choice. There is no wrong or right answer here.

Thickness

The density of a mattress can vary from 5 inches to 15 inches. A traditional mattress density is a minimum of 10 inches in height. 

For heavier people, a slightly thicker mattress may be a better choice. So opt for a high-density mattress over a traditional mattress.

Durability

What is the expected lifespan of the mattress based on the material, density, and standard wear and tear? A broad lifespan estimate is around 9 years.

Motion Isolation

How well does a mattress handle movement? This is a key consideration when sleeping with someone. 

If you’re sensitive to movement, go for a mattress that’s softer and has high-quality motion isolation.

Edge Support

When sleeping with a partner, whether you sleep more in the middle of the bed or towards the edge, having appropriate edge support is important. 

Innerspring and hybrid mattresses provide better edge support than mattresses made from memory foam.

Pressure Relief

There are some mattresses that mold themselves closely to the body of a sleeper, ensuring closer alignment to the spine and prohibiting pressure points from forming. 

The test of whether a mattress molds itself to a sleeper is correlated with the comfort layer or the plush top layer of a mattress. Mattresses that offer the best molding of your body are latex and/or memory foam.

Shipping & Delivery

Be aware of where the mattress can be shipped and how long the delivery will take, based on your location. 

Some firms offer free shipping within the US, others, however, charge a delivery fee. Be clear on what is included in the delivery fee. 

In the event, you are interested in home delivery with in-home assembly and the option to remove your old mattresses (known as white glove delivery), check if this is offered. 

Some mattress companies only deliver to the front door of your building, coming into your home, or delivering the mattress right into your bedroom and assembling it may not be included. The devil is in the details.

Trial & Returns

One of the challenges of buying a mattress online is, you’re buying without having tested the mattress. That’s why it's essential you pick a brand that offers a generous sleep trial. 

Countless online retailers out there offer ‘sleep trials’, allowing you to test the mattress for a defined period of time, and during this time should the mattress not live up to your satisfaction you are entitled to return the mattress and get a refund. 

The exact sleep-trial period varies from an average of 90 days to 365 days. It's customary that once you’ve bought a mattress, typically you can’t initiate the return or refund process, before a minimum break-in period of the mattress has passed. 

Also read the fine print, whether the return of the mattress is free and whether you are entitled to an exchange.

Warranty

Mattresses come with a product warranty. Whilst this can vary from product to product, the average warranty period is in the range of 10-years, some products however may have a warranty for a much shorter period of time. 

It’s important that you are aware of the exact product or manufacturing defects that are covered in the warranty. 

No warranty covers standard wear and tear or any physical damage that occurred once the mattress was in the possession of a buyer. It's key to read the usage instructions of the mattress and ensure the mattress is used as it is intended to be used. 

Many mattresses may come with a limited warranty. This means that the original owner is covered by the warranty, only if the mattress was purchased from the manufacturer or by an approved brand retailer. 

Additionally, if you exchange a mattress, check if the exchange is covered by the sleep trial period and/or warranty.