The Complete Guide To Shopping For A New Mattress

There is one thing that all mattresses have in common – eventually, they wear out. No matter how good your current mattress is, there will inevitably come a time when you need to replace it. Unfortunately, shopping for a new mattress can be a little bit complicated. There are so many different types and styles of mattresses out there that it can be overwhelming trying to choose the right one. Using the five suggestions below, you can make the process a lot easier:

1. Don’t forget your pillow.

Getting a good night’s sleep isn’t just about your mattress – it is also about your pillow. As much as 20% of the support for your spine comes from your pillow rather than from your mattress. Further complicating the matter is the fact that pillows work differently depending on the mattress that they are paired with. If you love your current pillow, consider packing it along with you when you go shopping for a new mattress. If you prefer, you can also shop for a new pillow and a new mattress at the same time, allowing you to choose a combination that is comfortable and supportive.

2. Determine how you sleep.

The position that you sleep in most often plays a key role in determining the type of support that you need. If you sleep on your side, you should consider looking for a relatively soft mattress. If the mattress is too hard, it can cause extra pressure on your hips and your shoulders.

If you sleep on your stomach, on the other hand, you should opt for a firmer mattress. If the mattress is too soft, your stomach can sag down, causing your back to arch in the wrong direction. This can lead to pain in your neck or in your lower back. If at all possible, you should try to train yourself to sleep in a different position since stomach sleeping is the hardest position in which to achieve proper alignment.

If you sleep on your back, you can generally choose whatever type of mattress you prefer. In most cases, your back will naturally adjust to the firmness of the mattress. If you want to better align your spine, try sleeping with a pillow positioned beneath your knees.

3. Look for a mattress that offers the right level of support.

Some mattresses are too firm while others are too soft. Look for a mattress that falls somewhere in the middle, providing just the right amount of support like these from the Original Mattress Factory.

4. Familiarize yourself with the different types of mattresses.

Today’s mattresses are made from a wide variety of materials. For instance, foam mattresses can be made from polyfoam, latex, or memory foam. Of these three, latex foam has the longest lifespan, with memory foam and polyfoam both having shorter lifespans.

If you decide to go with a latex foam mattress, double check to make sure that the latex is natural. Oftentimes, mattress stores try to sell synthetic latex mattresses at the same price as mattresses that are made using natural latex.

Look for a memory foam mattress that has a density of approximately 4-5 pounds per cubic foot. This provides a good balance between softness and support. You should also look at the cell structure of the mattress, opting for open-cell foam since it provides a cooler sleeping environment.

For standard foam mattresses, choose a mattress that has a minimum density of 1.8 lbs. Anything lower than that not only won’t provide much support but it also won’t last very long.

5. Decide how much you can spend.

There are plenty of great mattresses on the market that don’t cost a ton of money. Don’t feel like you have to go with the most expensive mattress you can find. Set a budget ahead of time. Then, look for the highest quality mattress that fits within your price range.

As a general rule of thumb, mattresses that are more expensive will last longer than those that are cheaper. For instance, mattresses in the $200-$500 range generally last anywhere from one to five years while mattresses in the $1,100-$2,500 range will usually last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.

6. Take time to get comfortable.

When testing mattresses, be sure to spend enough time laying on each one to get a feel for how comfortable it really is. At a minimum, you should stay on each mattress for at least three minutes.