What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word mattress? Sleep, rest, comfort, coziness or all of the above? Yes, a mattress is a foundation on which your rest and relaxation depend. Whether it is a cozy corner that you have created for yourself in a corner to relax after a long day or the family bedroom where you spend time with your family, it is the choice of mattress that you make, which defines how your experience will be.
Surprisingly, we never even pause to think about it for a moment, until the mattress is completely worn out and we are looking for a replacement. It is probably this search, to buy a mattress online, which has landed you here. So, while you are at it, take a step back and think about what exactly are you looking for? There are umpteen options available both online and offline for you to choose from. But does it meet your specification? Which option should you prefer over the others available and why?
Come to think of it, all these questions can easily be answered, if only you know what you need. As with most comfort-related objects, no two people have the same requirement and you need to be very clear on what you want, especially if you are looking to buy a mattress online. A wrong choice may leave you with a backache and more tired than before. To avoid this, here is a list of some considerations you can make before making a buying decision.
When you start searching for a mattress online, there is one thing that cannot escape your notice – the memory foam mattresses! They are present, wherever you see. Undoubtedly, there are many advantages to these mattresses which make them so popular. Here, we take a look at two things simultaneously.
First, what are the factors you must consider while buying a mattress online? And second, how does a memory foam cater to it, if it does. This will essentially help you tackle the huge challenge of what to look for in a memory foam mattress when surrounded by options online.
Size – The first and foremost consideration when buying any mattress, both online and offline, must be the size of the mattress. This is greatly influenced by two things – the number of intended users and the dimensions of the room in which the mattress will be placed. There are a number of standard sizes available for mattresses in the market including King Size, Queen Size, Single, Double or Full-Size Mattresses.
Each of these sizes has predefined dimensions and can be used for different purposes. It is imperative to find out what you want to use your mattress for and where you want to place it so that you get to know whether any of the standard sizes work for you. If it doesn’t, do not worry, you can always get a custom-sized mattress manufactured.
As you may have noticed, the dimensions of the mattress are not impacted by the material and hence memory foam does not play any role in this aspect. Then, why are we discussing it here? Because, even when you are looking to buy a memory foam mattress online, you must consider its dimensions for the above-mentioned reasons.
Density – Next is a very important property that must be considered while buying a mattress. One of the primary complaints against any mattress is that you wake up on it feeling a backache or cramps in your body. Have you ever considered why that happens?
The human spine is naturally arched slightly and is not completely straight. So when you sleep on a very firm mattress, its material pushes your spine to be straight, placing a lot of pressure on your joints. On the other hand, too soft a mattress can sag, leading to bad posture while sleeping and again putting pressure on different body parts.
The reason memory foam mattresses are so popular is because of their capability to adjust to the shape of the body placed on them, thereby removing the pressures on the different parts. This phenomenon is better in higher density memory foam mattresses (anywhere between 5 to 6 pounds per cubic feet).
When lying on a dense memory foam mattress, you may feel as if you are floating, thanks to the pressure distribution throughout the mattress. The density, thus, is one of the most important things you should look for when buying a memory foam mattress online.
Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) – Another important factor to be considered when buying a mattress, especially a memory foam one, is the Indentation Load Deflection (ILD). It defines the firmness and load-bearing capacity of the mattress being considered.
As we saw earlier, too firm a mattress can be counter-productive by exerting too much pressure on your back and making you feel even more tired than when you first went to sleep. On the contrary, too plush a mattress can cause a lot of back pain and body cramps as your body tends to sag with it.
Thus, it is advisable to opt for slightly higher ILDs when looking for a memory foam mattress. Also, the ILD tends to reduce with heat while you are sleeping. Thus, it is advisable to look at the temperatures this happens for the material in your mattress, before opting any.
Sensitivity to Temperature – The discussion on ILDs brings us to another important parameter, the temperature sensitivity of a mattress. There is a lot of experimental evidence and literature available to prove that humans sleep better when their body temperature is cooler. Thus, when looking for a mattress online, it is important to check the material it is made up of since that helps in regulating the temperature.
Memory Foam Mattresses score decently in this area, however, natural alternatives are much better. Keeping this in mind, manufacturers have come up with options like 100% natural latex and gel-based memory foam, which enhances this property for the normal memory foam mattresses. Keeping an eye on these materials when buying a mattress online will help you get a night of much better relaxed and peaceful sleep.
Budget – It is no secret that the memory foam mattresses are slightly on the more expensive side of the spectrum. However, this higher cost comes with a host of benefits that helps justify the price. Still, it does not mean that you go all out and buy the most expensive option out there.
When making a buying decision, you need to consider all parameters and where you can make slight allowances. This will help you identify the best option that meets all your requirements in terms of the budget as well.
Support for sleeping positions – Every person has a different preference for sleeping positions and that is another important factor to consider when buying a mattress. Those with a heavier weight or preferring to sleep on their back or stomach must opt for the former options, as it provides good support to their back.
The side sleepers and those of lighter weight than average can consider plush mattresses, however, even a firm mattress would be good for them. The memory foam mattresses are known to support all kinds of sleeping positions and hence are a good choice.
Longevity – Last but not least, once you have put in so much effort to find out the best option for you and fits in your budget, you surely do not want the hassle of going through the same cycle again and again. This simply means that whenever you are buying a mattress online, you would also be looking for longevity. The memory foam mattresses, especially the high-density ones are known to last longer by 10-12 years and typically come with a 10-year warranty.
