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Design 101
How To Choose a Mattress
October 10, 2024
Designed to last from 7-10 years, mattresses are an important long-term investment. A poor-quality or ill-suited mattress can cause years of sleep issues. On the other hand, a comfortable and supportive mattress can reduce morning aches and level up the quality of your sleep.
To help you choose the right mattress, here is a rundown of major features, considerations, and tips that can beef up your mattress knowledge and narrow down your choices.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Mattress
Not every mattress is designed for every person. Keep these factors in mind before you start searching for specific mattress models:
Body size: A very tall person won't be comfortable in a small bed, while a shorter adult may be most comfortable in a standard-sized twin bed. Consider your height, weight, and where you sleep on the mattress (side or middle) to help you decide which level of firmness and support you need from a mattress.
Sleep position: If you like to sleep curled up in the corner, you might not need a large mattress. However, if you're most comfortable sprawling out — and you also sleep with a partner — you'll have to take both of your needs into consideration.
Personal preference: Maybe you like sleeping on an extremely soft surface even though you've read that you're supposed to sleep on a medium-firm mattress. Or, you might like the feeling of a foam mattress, but you know that it retains heat — and that you'll wake up multiple times a night if you get too hot. Your "perfect" mattress may simply be the one you like and can sleep best on.
Types of Mattresses
Your sleep position plays a big role in your nighttime comfort. In most cases, different sleeping positions have a preferred level of firmness. Determine which position you sleep in before deciding on firmness levels. That said, firmness level is also dependent on personal preference.
Innerspring Mattresses
The most traditional mattress style, innerspring is known for its durability. It’s ideal for sleepers who need cooling because the spacing of its springs allows for better air circulation. However, it’s lacking in cushioning compared to some of the other types.
Foam Mattresses
Foam mattresses are known for their durability as well as their motion isolation, which stops light sleepers from getting jostled awake when their partner gets in and out of bed. While memory foam conforms to your body for ideal support, it is also known to retain heat.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses give you the best of both worlds of innerspring and foam. They are durable with a long lifespan. They also offer comfort and support from the foam material while their coil and spring systems promote cooling. However, hybrids are heavy to move and are pricier.
Mattress Sizes
While there are 11 mattress sizes used worldwide, the most popular ones are twin, full, queen, king, and California king. When choosing the right size, we recommend asking yourself:
1. How much room do you need?
2. How much room does your partner need?
3. Will there be frequent visits from your kids and pets?
If you already have a bed frame, ensure the mattress fits snugly.
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XL Twin Bed (38 X 80 inches)
Sleeps one comfortably. Ideal for kids and teens and is the most common mattress size found in college dorm rooms.
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Double or Full Bed (53 x 75 inches)
Sleeps one or two. Perfect for adult solo sleepers or a couple who doesn’t need much space.
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Queen Bed (60 x 80 inches)
Sleeps one or two people comfortably. Perfect for adult solo sleepers or a couple.
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King Bed (76 x 80 inches)
Sleeps two comfortably. Perfect for couples and sleepovers with kids or pets.
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California King Bed (72 x 84 inches)
Sleeps two comfortably. Perfect for couples and sleepovers with kids or pets.
Shop nowMattress Firmness
Did you know there is a subtle difference between firmness and support when it comes to mattresses? The firmness of a mattress is measured by how much you sink into the bed. Also, the support offered by the mattress is measured by how much it maintains your neutral spinal alignment and relieves pressure points.
Determining your ideal level of firmness relies on your sleeping position, weight, and comfort preferences. People on the lighter side may prefer a soft level of firmness. Someone on the heavier side may find comfort in a firmer mattress.
Side sleepers fare well with a softer level of firmness.. Back and stomach sleepers typically prefer a firmer mattress. A medium-firm mattress would be ideal for combination sleepers who cycle through a variety of postures.
Soft Mattresses
Soft mattresses have cushiony top layers with padding or foam that accentuate the feeling of sinkage. These mattresses offer little to no pushback and are preferred by side sleepers.
Medium Firm Mattresses
Medium-firm mattresses have top layers of foam or cushion. They’re designed with sturdier elements like dense foam or coils to give the sensation of feeling lifted without sacrificing comfort. Medium-firm mattresses are preferred by combination sleepers who move around and want the added mobility of a firmer mattress.
Firm Mattresses
Firm mattresses have a thin top layer of cushion atop a dense material. These mattresses create the sensation of resting on top of the bed rather than sinking into its layers. Firm mattresses are preferred by stomach sleepers who want to keep their back lifted.
Mattress Cost
Mattresses range from budget-friendly to quite expensive. If you're trying to figure out how to choose a mattress pad instead of splurging on a new mattress, know that a new sleeping surface might not be as expensive as you think. Especially when you account for seasonal mattress deals, clearances, and closeout sales.
The Best Time To Buy a Mattress
First, look for holiday weekend deals and online deal days. If you can't snag the perfect mattress in these time frames, consider waiting until March or April. During late winter and early spring, manufacturers put new products in stores and try to remove past inventory. This could be good luck for the buyer trying to find a deal.
When To Replace Your Mattress
Some latex or foam mattresses may last up to 15 years without an issue, while a lower-quality innerspring mattress may last only five. There isn't any one-size-fits-all answer to determine when it's time to replace your mattress, but you can look for these signs:
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You feel sagging or sloping in one spot
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There are signs of wear and tear, stains, or lumps on the mattress's surface
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Your allergies are worse after sleeping on the mattress
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The mattress is over eight years old
How To Buy a Mattress for a Child
Children have unique sleep requirements, and their mattresses should fit their developmental stage and their preferences as they grow.
Your child might need a different type of mattress as their sleep needs or preferences change. For example, a baby who once needed a firm mattress might grow into a child who prefers a softer mattress. Or a smaller child who once fit into a twin bed may become a tall, long-limbed teenager who needs a bigger bed for comfort.
Choosing a Crib Mattress
Maybe you're having a baby and you're wondering how to choose a crib mattress. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a firm, flat surface as the best way for a baby to sleep. You can make sure that you purchase the right size mattress for your baby's crib or bassinet by taking measurements beforehand and comparing them to the mattress you plan to buy.
Choosing a Child’s Mattress
Dozens of mattress options for kids include buzzwords such as hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and sustainable. While it's important to pay attention to the quality and construction of each mattress, the most important factor is how your child sleeps best.
If they're a side sleeper, for example, you may opt for a softer mattress. If they are unable to sleep when they get too hot, choosing an innerspring mattress that provides a cooler sleeping surface may be a good choice.
Choose the Right Mattress With Ease
Choosing the right mattress depends on how you sleep, whether you sleep alone or with a partner, and sometimes, your age. We're always updating our product listings to bring you high-quality, affordable mattresses that will fit every sleep type. Take what you've learned in this guide and browse through our database to find the perfect mattress for yourself or your child.
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