Thinking it’s time to get a new mattress?
Sleep is integral to our health and well-being, 45% of Americans aren’t getting enough of it. A great mattress goes a long way to ensuring a comfortable, full night’s rest. But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to work out which one is best suited to your needs.
Don’t worry! Read on for 5 tips to help you buy the perfect mattress.
Table of Contents
1. Check the Age of Your Mattress
The first thing you want to do is consider the age of your current mattress. The general idea is that if your mattress is over 8 years old, it’s time to replace it. There are types out there that still perform up to 12 years down the line.
Here is a breakdown of types of mattresses and the limits of their age:
- Latex – 12 years
- Memory Foam – 10 years
- Hybrid – 10 years
- Innerspring – 8 years
- Pillowtop – 7 years
So, when deciding when to buy a new one, consider the age but also the quality and comfort of the sleep you’re getting. If you wake up in pain, can’t sleep through the night or don’t feel well-rested, it could be time to change your mattress.
2. Consider What Type of Mattress You Want
This is a matter of preference, but with so many options on the market, there is a perfect mattress for everyone. Here are some types of mattress and what they’re good for.
Memory Foam
These are made only from memory foam. They excel at providing excellent support and pressure relief. They’ll also mold to your body shape. Newer memory foams are much cooler than old versions, removing that overheating element.
Latex
These mattresses are made from latex foam. They’re known for comfort and their cooling abilities. They’re very responsive and bouncy too. They don’t hug and contour as much as memory foam.
Coils
These have at least one layer of coiled springs to provide support and comfort. The more layers of coils, the more comfortable the mattress. A great choice if you want a more traditional feel with great bounce and edge support.
Pillow-top
You can get these in the other types of mattresses too like latex and memory. These mattresses have a pillow-like layer stuffed into the top. It is to provide extra comfort and cushioning. This mattress is perfect for those wanting cloud-like comfort and a softer feel.
Hybrids
Hybrids are a mixture of latex, polyurethane and memory foams and coils. Their goal is to take all the benefits of one material and leave out the cons. They’re a great all-around choice if you’re looking for cooling, comfort, bounce, and support all in one.
Adjustable
These mattresses allow you to change the position of them. This is normally from lifting the feet or the back. Some even come with massage functions. If you have a medical condition or chronic back pain they can be a great choice.
3. Have a Healthy Budget
Your mattress is going to be something you use daily for the next 8-12 years. It isn’t something you want to skimp on. The good news is, with the emergence of online retailers, prices have dropped. You don’t have to break the bank for a great mattress.
A good starting budget is $1,000 and increase that to around $1,500 if you’re looking for a king size. Never go cheap, you get what you pay for. Anything under $500 should be a no-no.
It’s important to shop around and read reviews to get the best deal. Click here to find out more about mattresses.
4. Find Out Your Perfect Firmness
Firmness is related to how ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ a mattress is. We all have different preferences here, but your sleep depends on you working out yours. Your body type and weight, and any medical conditions will also play a part as well as preference.
Support is not the same as firmness. Support relates to how well the mattress keeps your spine aligned. Firmness gets rated out of 10, with average preferences falling between 4-7. Try out a variety and see what works best for you.
5. What position do you sleep in?
It’s not just your body type that will affect your preference, but also your sleeping position. We all sleep in different ways, so it’s important you get a mattress that is designed for your sleep style.
Each position needs its own perfect firmness level and has unique needs:
Side
Side sleepers are likely to shift in the night, from legs straight, to bent and a mixture of the two. With the constant moving, a soft-medium mattress is ideal, normally in the 3-6 range where 10 is the firmest. It needs to mold and contour to the body to provide the most support to the neck and back.
Back
If you’re a back sleeper, you need support but also firmness. If too soft, the mattress will not support the pressure points on your back leaving you aching and sore. It needs to push back a little on your back. A firmer mattress will also help ensure your spine remains aligned.
The ideal firmness range would be somewhere between 4-7 on the range, more towards the higher end. This will provide the right amount of firmness to give support. But there will be softness there too, to relieve any pressure points.
Stomach
For those of you who sleep on your stomach, you need to think of one key thing – support. As the torso will apply the most pressure, the mattress must be able to support each part of the body equally.
If the mattress is too soft, your torso will sink in and bend your spine which can lead to issues like back pain. The range here is 5-7, though some people might prefer 8 for a flatter, harder feel.
Choose the Perfect Mattress For Your Needs
Follow these 5 tips and you’ll be sure to find the perfect mattress for you.
You want to consider factors like your body type, weight, and your sleeping position. These will all influence the sort of mattress that will best suit you.
Keep in mind what type of material you’d prefer and how much longevity you’re looking for. Don’t skimp either, make sure to have a healthy budget.
If you found this article useful, check out our other blog posts. At Tastefulspace.com we have tips and tricks to suit all your lifestyle needs.
